Ex-nuclear workers to march on Necsa

Please be informed that ex-nuclear workers who have repeatedly over the past few years failed in their attempts to get compensation from South Africa’s Nuclear Corporation (NECSA) for debilitating and often fatal occupational diseases, have planned a legal march to NECSA’s headquarters at Pelindaba near Pretoria.

Hat-tip to Ex-nuclear workers to march on Necsa - Environment South Africa

They have vowed to stage a “sleep-in” at NECSA’s gates unless they are adequately responded to by the nuclear bosses. The memorandum they intend handing over is attached.

When: Thursday February 4, 2010

Starting time: 10.30 am

Place: Necsa Gate 3, Church Street, Pelindaba (west of Pretoria) Contact person: Mr. Alfred Sepepe 074 299 8214

Many of these Atteridgeville Township based workers formed part of the sample group of 208 ex-nuclear workers who underwent preliminary medical examinations by respected occupational health medical practitioner Dr Murray Coombs. Coombs found that a significant number of these workers suffered from occupational illnesses resultant from their employment at the Pelindaba complex and referred several cases to the Compensation Commissioner. All these applications were rejected. The Commissioner has yet to make known the basis on which he dismissed these applications despite legislation which entitles these workers to compensation based on presumption alone. Coombs further concluded that most of the ex-workers he had seen needed further in-depth medical tests and in 2006 Dr. Coombs approached NECSA to undertake these tests in the presence of representatives appointed by the workers themselves to ensure transparency. NECSA flatly refused and produced its own medical results that denied the claims made in the Coombs Report.

Almost 30 ex-workers from the original sample group have died penniless and with extreme medical conditions since this process began in 2005/6 – this despite numerous appeals to the President, various Ministers and a special hearing before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee in July 2007 which undertook to ensure justice and compensation for these workers. The chairman of that committee was dropped in the new post-elections administration and to date not a single promise made to these workers has been met.

Please contact Mr. Sepepe for further details.

This media release is issued by:

Pelindaba Working Group
acting in solidarity with the plight of these ex-nuclear workers
Dominique Gilbert – 083 740 4676

Source: http://www.cane.org.za/

Patrick Moore - environmental prophet or Judas?

VISIT of DR. PATRICK MOORE TO SOUTH AFRICA

3 MARCH - 7th MARCH 2008.

At the invitation of the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA) in association with the Universities of Witwatersrand, Pretoria, North-West, Western Cape and Stellenbosch as well as the MTN Science Centre in Cape Town, Dr. Patrick Moore, world-renowned ecologist, environmentalist and co-founder of Greenpeace, will tour South Africa during the week of 3-7 March 2008 to present a series of insightful public lectures on "Global Warming and the Search for Sustainable, Clean Energy."

Dr Moore, once an ardent opponent and activist against nuclear energy will discuss the impact of global warming and present his views on the challenges and the respective roles that nuclear power, renewable sources and energy efficiency can play in producing a cleaner electricity supply and ensuring a sustainable energy future.

Dr Moore now spends much of his time with his team from Greenspirit Strategies Ltd. advising industry, environmental and social agencies and governments around the world, about sustainable and environmentally safe, alternative energy supplies - refer to the attached biography.

The schedule of public meetings is as follows:

Monday 3 March: 18:00	Great Hall, University of Witwatersrand
Tuesday 4 March: 15:00	Sanlam Auditorium, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus
Wednesday 5 March: 14:00	Aula, University of Pretoria
Thursday 6 March: 17:00	Main Auditorium, University of the Western Cape, Belville
Thursday 6 March: 19:30	Auditorium, MTN Science Centre, Century City, Cape Town
Friday 7 March: 13:00	University of Stellenbosch, Jannasch Hall, Conservatoire of Music, Victoria street, Stellenbosch

The public meetings are free and open to the public.

Earthlife Africa wishes to draw our attention to the following

Patrick Moore, former member of Greenpeace turned Industry voice for hire, about whom the following has been said

"Judas Iscariot had the decency to hang himself after betraying Jesus. Moore...can't even be persuaded to shut his mouth" Paul Luke, Business Reporter, the Province Newspaper, BC

"Patrick Moore has gone from being the guard dog of the environment to the lap dog of industry" Tseporah Berman, Greenpeace International

(for more info visit www.fanweb.org/patrick-moore/quotes.html

He is being brought out by the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa, but he is known as a supporter of several other kinds of environmental atrocities e.g Timber Plantations, GMO's, Mining etc.

It will be important to counter the misconception that Patrick Moore has any concern for the environment and for environmental justice and to shed light on the many ways in which he sells himself to the highest industry bidder by being present at one or both of these talks and protesting his gobbledygook.

If you are interested in participating in Earthlife Africa activities in this regard, please contact us (numbers appear below).

Maya Aberman
Campaign Co-ordinator
Earthlife Africa
021 447 4912