NECSA TURNS ITS BACK ON “NUKED” WORKERS
According to Earthlife Africa, the National Energy Corporation of SA (Necsa) is turning its back on workers made ill by their work in the nuclear industry.
Why is Necsa determined to deny the claims of their workers and cover up the truth? Necsa has stopped at nothing to whitewash the truth and lie to the public concerning its safety and health record when 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.
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 would then make a determination on the findings. Why does Necsa have a problem with this?
Dr Murray Coombs, commissioned by Earthlife to conduct an investigation into occupational diseases of Necsa’s ex-workers, is not only well-respected in his specific field but has also drafted legislation on occupational compensation.
Dr Coombs has found that several workers suffer from radiation illness. According to his findings, many have “probable” occupational illnesses, but their medical files and additional specialised tests are needed to finalise diagnoses. Despite repeated requests for these files and tests, Necsa continues to withhold information making final diagnosis impossible.
Necsa has repeatedly disallowed 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
011 725 5415
072 336 7853
