Crying shame - South African mine workers seek redress of grievance over exposure to asbestos

New Internationalist, August, 1999

A South African mine worker, whose health has been ruined by exposure to asbestos, has decried his treatment by the British company Cape plc. Cupido Adams' wife died of asbestosis and he currently suffers from it. He says workers were never told of the dangers of working at the mine, which closed in 1979.

And the site is still so dangerous that doctors are unwilling to go there and treat those affected by the dust in the air and on the ground around the mine. Adams addressed shareholders and company directors at Cape's general meeting asking: `I have come all the way from South Africa to ask you why you will not hear my case in court here?' He is one of over 2,000 people who have lodged a legal claim against Cape plc. For more information contact: Action for Southern Africa, 28 Penton St, London NI 9SA, England. Tel: 44 171 833 3133. Fax: 44 171 833 3133 e-mail: actsa@geo2.poptel.org.uk