Unanswered questions: A mother's fight for justice after the Rheinmetall Denel Munition tragedy
The funeral service for the Rheinmetall Denel Munition staff members who died in an explosion in September 2018.
Image: File
A double blow of losing two sons within the space of a year, both aged 18, is what Susan Tandy lives with every day while she continues to seek answers into one of their deaths following the 2018 Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) tragedy.
On Tuesday, while Tandy was in her backyard hanging her washing, she heard a loud explosion, which flung her back to September 3, 2018 - the day she lost her son, Bradley Tandy, who was barely two years employed at the facility.
RDM confirmed that a fire occurred at the premises in Somerset West on Tuesday, in which no one was left wounded.
"An investigation into the cause of the incident will take place once officials declare the area safe.
"RDM is committed to operating safely and responsibly and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities during the investigation,” said RDM in a media statement.
But for Tandy and the seven other family members, the cause behind the 2018 explosion remains unknown.
Like the other relatives, Tandy was unable to identify her son’s remains or have an open casket at his funeral, denying her the ultimate closure as a parent.
“I did not get to see his remains and now we are waiting all of these years for answers to know what happened that day,” she said in tears.
“It is like we have been forgotten.
Mario Tandy
Image: Supplied
“On Tuesday while I was hanging the washing and standing in my backyard, I heard the explosion because my home is not too far from Denel. I can see it from my home.
“I immediately began feeling sick to my stomach and I could not stop the tears for my baby.
"Yes, he was just a baby, he was 18 years old.
“We still do not know what happened and now after yesterday's (Tuesday) incident, they (RDM) are saying they will investigate the cause, but what about us?”
Tandy said the families are receiving a form of financial compensation with a monthly stipend for ten years from an insurance company, which will conclude in 2028.
“We were told it is for ten years and we had to sign and agree to it.”
Foreman Nico Samuels, 41, team leader Stevon Isaacs, 51, operators Mxolisi Sigadla, 40, Bradley Tandy, 18, Jamie Haydricks, 24, Jason Hartzenberg, 22, Triston Davids, 22, and Thandolwethu Mankayi, 27, were killed in the explosion.
In 2023, the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) decided not to institute prosecution despite recommendations made by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), following a Section 32 inquiry that found there were grounds to criminally prosecute.
Community activist, Christiaan Stewart has since written to various authorities calling for accountability.
RDM said: "The Department of Labour confirmed that, the findings of the final report were designated for submission exclusively to the Chief Inspector and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).Therefore, the report is accordingly not subject to public disclosure."