The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Kwa-Zulu Natal wishes to express its condolences to the family and workers of Farmusa Agri-Forest (SAPPI), for the loss of another firefighter who succumbed to his injuries after fighting for his life in hospital.

This is the seventh firefighter to die after six of his colleagues lost their lives last week. These brave workers died in the line of duty while extinguishing a blazing fire in the forest in the Natal Midlands.

COSATU KZN appreciates the doctors, nurses, paramedics, first aiders, police, and all the other workers who were involved in trying to save the lives of these firefighters.

COSATU together with the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) in the province paid homage to the six grieving families last Tuesday and will also visit the family of the seventh firefighter this afternoon.

The Federation is engaging the Department of Employment and Labour about these cases of Health and Safety of workers at the workplace, and the investigation into their deaths.

We are also anxious to find out how far the investigation is from completion.

COSATU commits itself to working with the families to get to the bottom of these cases so they can find closure.

Issued by COSATU KZN

For more information, please contact

Provincial Secretary

Edwin Mkhize

082 399 7756 / 076 522 8839