POLOKWANE – Tragedy struck at NJR Steel in Polokwane when a 35-year-old man died on Thursday February 19.

Erick Ntshengedzeni Mushuwani died after he was caught between a wall and a ton of steel pipes. According to an emergency medical technician who was on the scene, it appeared that the man had loosened the pipes from where they were secured and as a result the pipes started moving and trapped Mushuwani against the wall. A side wall also collapsed. Other employees tried to assist but he succumbed to multiple injuries and died on the scene.

Mushuwani had been working for the company for two and a half years as a general assistant.

According to NJR Steel branch manager, Kobie Janse van Vuuren, Mushuwani was well known and liked by his fellow workers. “There was not a thing that you could not ask him to help with. He will be sorely missed,” Janse van Vuuren said.

“There was not a thing that you could not ask him to help with.

He will be sorely missed“

“We as the company would like to send our condolences to his family in this time of sadness,” he added.

NJR Steel paid for the funeral from a trust fund opened for employees.

Mushuwani left behind his wife and two children.

According to Polokwane police spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba, the incident was ruled an accident.