MEDIA STATEMENT

MEDIA REPORTS THAT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT 'POISONED' STAFF ARE UNTRUE 

Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa has dismissed as untrue media reports that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport knowingly exposed laboratory workers to hazardous chemicals and ignored warnings that danger levels were being exceeded.

Problems relating to the departmental laboratory were only brought to our attention last year and we acted immediately, closed down the laboratory and outsourced certain critical functions. We also employed the services of Dr Van Sellum, a specialist medical professional who examined our laboratory staff and is continually rendering services in this regard.

Many laboratories still make use of Methylene Chloride, the chemical alleged to have caused the chronic diseases and associated deaths. There is no conclusive evidence that any of the employee's deaths, illnesses or related symptoms could be linked to possible exposure to Methylene Chloride. All workers that may have been exposed to Methylene Chloride have had medical evaluations and continue to receive treatment at departmental expense. All compensation for occupational injuries and diseases have also been forwarded to the Compensation Commissioner for necessary action.

The well-being of all our staff is amongst our prime concerns and we will do everything possible to ensure that their lives are not endangered, even though in this particular case, these are still mere allegations.

Tests that do not involve any chemicals are still being carried out in the laboratory and under our current restructuring programme the laboratory forms part of our Technology Transfer Centre.

The Technology Transfer Centre was established in 2000 to provide for the effective transfer of 'best practice' technology in the transport industry to meet the current developmental needs of KwaZulu-Natal. The Centre was originally established as part of a joint co-operation agreement between the United States Federal Highways Administration and the provincial Transport Department. It is one of three such centres in the country with linkages to other similar centres in the SADC region and the rest of the world.

The KZN Transport Department is widely known for many of its innovative programmes that have become national models. It is for this reason that the quadrennial XX11nd World Road Congress to be held for the first time in Southern Africa will be held in Durban from the 19th to 25th October this year.

The congress is set to attract over 3 000 delegates from around the world. A broad spectrum of key decision-makers in the road transport sector representing government, multilateral agencies, international financial institutions, toll concessionaires, material and equipment suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, freighting companies, the civil engineering industry and educational institutions will converge on Durban to engage in world-class debates about roads transport.

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