![\"Majuba-silo-collapse\"](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Majuba-silo-collapse.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAccording to Deon Reyneke, head of Solidarity\u2019s Energy Industry, Eskom has up to now failed to admit that knowledge of structural problems with the now collapsed Majuba silo 20 had existed at senior level since before the collapse on 1 November.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo days after the silo collapsed, Solidarity issued a statement claiming that Eskom had been aware of abnormal vibrations in the silo for months. Eskom has since repeatedly denied any such knowledge. Moreover, the company failed to reply to a letter from Solidarity, in which the union sought to bring more information relevant to the collapse under Eskom\u2019s attention,\u201d Reyneke said.<\/p>\n
Reyneke says Eskom\u2019s refusal to acknowledge its mistakes and to instead pretend that Solidarity\u2019s claims are false, is unacceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have proceeded to gather evidence of Eskom\u2019s knowledge of the structural problems with silo 20 and Eskom\u2019s failure to conduct proper preventative maintenance. We are concerned that the same route will now be taken with silo 30,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Reyneke added that Eskom was obsessed with the source of Solidarity\u2019s information. \u201cWe are not prepared to subject the source of our information to possible intimidation and victimisation.”<\/p>\n
The energy head said that a senior Eskom manager had revealed in an official Eskom meeting that the company has been aware of the structural problems with Majuba\u2019s silo 20 since at least September.<\/p>\n
Eskom declined to comment on what it called rumours of a crack in the silo.<\/p>\n
“The two remaining coal silos were emptied after the incident and prepared for a thorough examination,” spokesman Andrew Etzinger said.<\/p>\n
“Once that examination has been concluded we will announce the results.”<\/p>\n
Inspections were being conducted at all of Eskom’s silos around the country, he said.<\/p>\n
Etzinger said none of the silos at the Majuba station were being used and temporary measures were still in place.<\/p>\n
Etzinger said Eskom urged Solidarity to keep sending it information.<\/p>\n
“Eskom has an open door policy and we are aware of Solidarity’s statements in the past regarding information it made available to Eskom about the silos. We continue to ask for the information they have provided in the past,” he said.<\/p>\n
With Sapa.<\/em><\/p>\n Eskom: power supply tight<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Jasper solar project vs Eskom\u2019s Medupi coal power station<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom was aware of silo problems since January: union<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on Eskom<\/h3>\n