An explosion at Rheinmetall Denel Munition in Somerset West on Tuesday is being investigated, with the company launching a probe into the cause of the incident. The blast, which occurred at approximately 9:50am, was quickly extinguished by local emergency services and the company’s own teams, with no injuries reported.
Rheinmetall Denel Munition’s Safety Record
The incident has raised concerns among residents, who are calling for accountability and transparency, particularly in light of the 2018 tragedy that killed eight workers and injured two at the same facility. According to the Department of Employment and Labour, an inquiry into the 2018 incident found Rheinmetall Denel Munition in contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Somerset West and Macassar community activist, Christiaan Stewart, has called for an independent investigation into the latest explosion, citing the need for immediate transparency and accountability. “The community was promised that lessons would be learned and safety would be prioritised after the 2018 tragedy,” he said. “It’s clear that more needs to be done to prevent such incidents from happening again.”
Demands for Action
Stewart has outlined several demands, including:
- Immediate transparency: A joint public briefing within 24 hours from Rheinmetall Denel Munition, SAPS, City of Cape Town, and national government detailing casualties, cause, and environmental risk.
- Independent investigation: A full, public inquiry into the explosion and why safety measures post-2018 failed to prevent recurrence.
- Accountability: Release of the full audit showing which 2018 recommendations were implemented by whom, and when. Those responsible must be held liable.
- Long-term prevention: Legally binding safety upgrades at Rheinmetall Denel Munition, enforced by relevant authorities.
As the investigation into the explosion continues, residents and activists will be watching closely to see if the company and authorities take concrete steps to address the concerns and prevent similar incidents in the future. For more information on the Occupational Health and Safety Act, visit the South African Government website.
