NECSA’s claims on nuked ex-workers
Earthlife Africa dismisses with contempt the propagandist distortions by the National Energy Corporation of SA (Necsa) on the ill health of its nuked ex-workers against whom the nuclear giant continues to turn its back.
It is clear from Necsa’s statement that it set out to refute these claims and remains committed to covering up the truth. But on what basis is it doing this? Necsa has stopped at nothing to whitewash the truth and lie to the public over its safety and health record when Necsa’s own annual reports have reported radiation exposure of its workers.
Necsa continues to make public statements without providing proof or substantiation for its claims, or publishing results of its investigation. Details of the examinations and the names of those they claim to have examined have not been made public. The fact that Necsa says it has not found radiation sickness is irrelevant – what tests were they using? For meaningful comment on Necsa’s statement, they must prove and substantiate what they’re saying.
In addition, Necsa is failing in its legal duty by refuting the findings of an independent medical practitioner when, by law, his findings are sufficient for the ex-workers’ cases to be handed to the Compensation Commissioner who will then make a determination on the findings. On what basis are they questioning the findings of Dr Coombs?
The only independent medical practitioner is one NOT employed by the nuclear industry, as Necsa claims. Dr Murray Coombs, who was commissioned by Earthlife to conduct the health study into occupational disease of Necsa’s ex-workers, IS not only well-respected in this specific field and was also involved in drafting the legislation on occupational compensation.
Dr Coombs is the ONLY independent doctor involved here and has already determined that several of these workers suffer from radiation illness. According to his findings, there are a large number of these workers who have “probable” occupational illnesses, but their medical files and additional specialised tests are required to finalise medical diagnoses. Despite repeated requests for these files and tests, Necsa continues to withhold information making final diagnosis impossible.
Necsa has repeatedly disallowed the workers permission to bring their own representative or independent monitor for specialised medical examinations conducted at its facility, despite numerous requests that this be allowed. At a meeting in January where this request was again put to CEO Rob Adam, he undertook to provide an answer within two weeks. None has been forthcoming.
Contrary to its claims, Necsa is the only party that has “purposefully delayed the process” prescribed by national legislation (in terms of The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act 130 of 1993) and continues to do this. Inspite of the vast amount of taxpayer’s funds that Necsa received to investigate these medical claims well over a year ago, Necsa still cannot produce any meaningful results.
We also wish to remind Necsa, that not all the workers they refer to were “radiation workers” as per its statement. Some of these people were gardeners or security officers who were called upon to perform actions outside the ambits of their job description. Today these people are seriously ill with cancers or dead.
Mashile Phalane
Nuclear Energy Costs The Earth Campaign (NECTEC) Coordinator
Earthlife Africa Johannesburg
