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Cecilia Moyo

Temba Dube Senior Reporter
A NATIONAL Foods worker at the Bulawayo branch was sucked into a more than two metres deep maize trolley and suffocated when fellow workers opened the bottom valve to an underground storage area.Domingo Ndlovu, 26, was submerged under more than 20 tonnes of maize and died on the spot.

His family yesterday said they saw video footage of the incident, which they said showed that he was killed by workmates.
The tragedy occurred around 5AM on Monday.

The story that employees who came for later shifts were allegedly told, including Ndlovu’s family, was that he had fallen asleep in a maize trolley and his workmates opened the valve leading to his suffocation.

Domingo’s uncle, Zebediah Ndlovu, 35, dismissed the official version of events. He said two workmates deliberately opened the valve after checking that no one was watching.

“Initially, management told us he had been sleeping but we found it hard to believe. When we saw that there were cameras around the area, we demanded to see the footage and after a three hour battle, we were shown the video, that had no audio, together with police and NSSA (National Social Security Authority) officials,” said Ndlovu.

He said the footage stretched from about 4AM to around 5.15AM.

“A workmate (name withheld) was asleep for close to an hour while Domingo was offloading maize from a trolley. Someone came and kicked his feet and he woke up. He then rushed to Domingo and they seemed to have a harsh exchange,” said Ndlovu.

He said; “Shortly they went for a tea break and a tractor came and pushed the trolley to position the next valve above the underground storage opening. Domingo, the workmate who had been sleeping, and another (name also withheld) came and Domingo went to the top of the trolley and began unfastening its covering.

“We saw him talking to his friends twice and the third time he knocked against the side of the trolley and communicated something and went back to work. The workmates can be seen in the video looking around as if to make sure no one was watching. The one who was asleep grabbed a rod used to open the valve and went out of the camera angle.”

Ndlovu said the workmate seemed to have opened the valve because the next thing, the rod came flying from where he was.

“At that moment, two people in dustcoats approached and the other workmate grabbed the rod and seemed to be trying to close the valve, without success. There was commotion as someone came with a grinder and tried to cut the sides of the wagon. By the time they did, Domingo’s feet were protruding from the valve and had blocked it,” said Ndlovu.

Domingo’s grandfather, Zephaniah Ndlovu, 77, said: “This is a clear case of murder and the video has clear evidence. We are waiting for the law to take its course.”

A family member demanded to know what the company had done with the maize that suffocated Ndlovu.

Comment could not be obtained from National Foods human resources manager Loyd Chidhana who was said to be the only one authorised to speak to the Press.

He was always said to be out of the office.

After hours, someone called Jabulani answered the phone and said; “I am not in a position to comment because I was not at work yesterday. I cannot refer you to anyone else because it is past business hours.”

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Joshua Ndlovu confirmed the incident.

“We are investigating a case of sudden death that occurred at National Foods on Monday. I cannot comment further because it may jeopardise investigations,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.