The family of 28-year-old Mpho Maiwashe, who is suspected to have died from carbon-monoxide inhalation from a generator while doing the night shift at Sweetwaters Filling Station in Mpheni, is seeking answers about what exactly had happened.
Maiwashe was found dead in a storeroom at the fuel station by other employees in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 10 May. He is believed to have died from inhaling the exhaust fumes from the generator, which he must have switched on during load shedding.
The family and community members gathered at the fuel station with mixed emotions. The deceased's uncle, Mr Khathu Nemagovhani, expressed the family's profound sadness and raised their concerns over the circumstances. "What worries us is that he seemed to have been at work alone. We hope that the law will play its role, so that we can find justice," he said.
The owner of the Sweet Waters Filling Station, Mr Jerald Marallich, said they had found Maiwashe in the storeroom, where the generator was still running. "That's all we know for now. He was working night shift, that's why he was alone," he said.
Marallich also expressed his sincere grief over the incident, saying he was very sad to have lost one of his workers.
Raymond Matsapula, secretary general of Mpheni SANCO Ward 15, blamed the incident on the working conditions at the fuel station. "Our main concern is how one person was given the responsibility of overseeing the entire garage throughout the night. With the current situation of load shedding, what is the level of safety?" he said.
The police spokesperson, Sgt Tshifhiwa Radzilani, confirmed the incident. "A 28-year-old male was found dead in the storeroom with a running generator. He had no visible wounds, and we are investigating the matter as an inquest," she said.