(Photo: Charles Gallo/Gallo Images)
- Three children of 11, 12 and 14 years old burned in a chemical dump.
- Doctors say they are in stable condition.
- PPC is investigating the matter.
Three children fell into a garbage dump and suffered second-degree burns when they came into contact with chemical waste at the South African-owned Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) slag plant in Zimbabwe on Friday.
They are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Bulawayo.
According to a company statement attributed to Mavellas Sibanda, Head of Operations and Projects at PPC Zimbabwe, the children are 11, 12 and 14 years old.
Sibanda says preliminary investigations indicated that two of the injured children accidentally jumped into the dump and suffered burns from some of the still-hot materials.
Sibanda added that the third suffered burns on his arms while trying to help the other two.
The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. on Friday in Colleen Bawn, southwest Zimbabwe, about 190 km from Bulawayo.
The injured are said to be in stable condition after the company took them to hospital.
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“The company has assisted with all the required medical support. According to a report from the doctors who care for the injured, we are informed that the injured are in stable condition,” said Sibanda.
Sources within the company told News24 that the dump is off-limits to local communities and people not designated to work there.
Investigations are underway.
“In compliance with company protocols, investigations into the incident have been launched,” Sibanda said.
A vital arm of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company, the Zimbabwe operation took a 31% hit to R855 million in the six months to 30 September 2022 following maintenance programs at its plant. by Colleen Bawn.
The company had resorted to importing clinker from South Africa and Zambia at a higher cost.
News24 Africa Desk is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The stories produced through the Africa Desk and the opinions and statements that may be contained in this document do not reflect those of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
