The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has extended its condolences to the families of the two men who died in a furnace at a steel plant in their economic zone and to those who were injured.
Coega's Head of Marketing, Brand, and Communications, Dr Ayanda Vilakazi said the incident occurred at the Coega Steels Plant in Zone 6 of the Coega Special Economic Zone.
"Coega is currently engaging closely with Coega Steels regarding the details surrounding the incident.
"An investigation is currently in progress, and the outcome of the investigation will be provided at a later stage," he said.
The company switched on its Inductotherm furnaces to start production at the R400 million state-of-the-art steel mill in Coega in 2014.
In 2021, the Employment and Labour inspectors issued Coega Steel with a prohibition notice after the company was found to have flouted various health and safety regulations.
Algoa FM News earlier reported that the discovery of noncompliance took effect after an Occupational Health and Safety Inspector received anonymous pictures of a Coega Steel employee with burns on his hands and face due to an explosion that took place at the employer’s furnace department.
Also read: Prohibition notice issued against Coega Steel
On Wednesday, police released the name of one of the deceased involved in Tuesday's incident.
He is 48-year-old Lizo Njamela.
On his Facebook page, Njamela lists his employment status as: "Dishwasher at Agni Steels SA Coega."
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the second victim is an Indian National.
The 39-year-old man's name is withheld as police cannot confirm whether the company had informed his family.
Two other co-workers, aged 38 and 49 sustained burn wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Details surrounding the incident remain scant.
On Tuesday, police could not confirm whether an explosion had occurred, as reported by community members.
Janse van Rensburg confirmed that an inquest docket was opened for further investigation.
