Police in Lilongwe have instituted investigations into a cooking oil manufacturer, Sun Seed Oil, after one of its workers was severely scalded by heated oil at work place on Saturday evening, and his bosses allegedly tried to conceal the matter.
Phillimon Liwonde Phiri, 24, who works as a plant operator, is currently battling for his life at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) after sustaining burns on his back, hands, legs and private parts.
According to Publicist for Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) Police, Sapulain Chitonde, the owners of the company did not report the incident to the police until they were confronted by the law enforcers.
Chitonde told The Daily Times in an interview on Thursday that a brother to the victim, George Mafuta, got wind of the incident from a well-wisher in the early hours of Sunday and he reported the matter to the police.
“A pipe which supplies heat from charcoal to drums of oil to get heat for the production of cooking oil broke and as a result fire covered the whole room and ended up burning his whole body. He fell down due to the force of the fire and struggled to crawl out while screaming for help from people working within the factory area,” said Chitonde.
He further said that the worker was rushed to Daeyang Luke Hospital before he was referred to KCH where he was put on an oxygen machine.
The police spokesperson described as total negligence on the part of the employers who he said told the police, during interrogation, that they were planning to report the matter to labour office.
“The owners of the company will be charged with an offence of negligence,” said Chitonde.
Attempts to speak to officials at the company proved futile as their phones went unanswered.
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