Police investigate deaths at Parow recycling factory

Police are investigating the death of four men at Atlantic Plastic Recycling factory in Beaconvale Parow. Picture: Henk Kruger/African News Agency
An investigation is under way to determine how four men died at a plastics-recycling factory in Parow last week.

Jermaine Carelse, spokesman for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, said they responded to a call about people being trapped inside a building, in Beaconvale, on Tuesday May 21.

“Upon arrival, we discovered four bodies submerged in recycled water inside the factory’s sump. The bodies were recovered. Three more adult men were treated on the scene and two were transported to hospital,” he said.

Police spokesman Captain Waynne Theunis said the men were cleaning an underground tank when they were overtaken by fumes.

The dead men have been identified as Shaun Duddy, 51; John Joubert, 41; Sebabalo Gobo, 22, and Phetho Mnamatheli, 35.
Mr Carelse said the scene had been handed over to the police.

Parow Community Police Forum (CPF) chairman Roger Cannon sent his condolences to the families of the deceased. 

“It’s very unfortunate that this tragedy took place. We as the CPF want to continue to urge businesses to strictly adhere to health and safety regulations,” he said.

Atlantic Plastic Recycling in Parow for comment told Northern News it would issue a press statement after a formal investigation.