South African arms manufacturer Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) says the blast that occurred on Sunday, October 31 at their factory in Macassar, Cape Town was a fire and not an explosion as reports indicated.
According to RDM, although the exact circumstances surrounding the incident is still under investigation, there was no detonation, loud bang or pressure wave that is common in an explosion, News 24 reported.
RDM said further that there was only damage to the roof and windows of the building, while the walls remain intact, which also indicate the cause being a fire.
The latest incident also comes three years after eight factory workers were killed in a deadly explosion at the plant. Investigations surrounding the 2018 explosion got underway at the Community House in Salt River on Tuesday, October 19.
A statement by the Department of Employment and Labour, says that this is the second sitting since the fatal incident after the first sitting took place in May 2021 where 13 witnesses were cross-examined before the commission.
“The department then ordered the establishment of a section 32 inquiry to investigate violations of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) thus appointing Mphumzi Dyulete as the Presiding Inspector but the inquiry could not continue in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions,” the statement said.
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Investigation into the Rheinmetall Denel Munition explosion resumes
Picture: RTE