GroundUp reports on the case of Ntongenzani Ngidi (57) from KwaSithebe in Mandeni, north of Durban, who has not received any compensation after losing his arm in a work accident in August and is finding it difficult to look after himself and his family.  

He had been cleaning machines used to manufacture sacks at Tufbag when his arm got stuck inside and ended up being cut off by the machine.  Forms were filled in, but compensation has not been paid nearly six months later.  Until the compensation comes through, he is getting half his monthly salary from the company, but he claims that is paid late.  Tufbag’s HR manager said all their employees were covered by the Department of Labour’s (DOL’s) Compensation Fund should they incur any injury on duty and the fund should be approached for further information.  Ngidi still has to submit forms to the Provident Fund to claim disability benefits.  

DOL spokesman Lungelo Mkamba said they had accepted Ngidi’s claim.  “However, Ngidi is still undergoing medical treatment and among other things we are waiting for the progress reports from his doctor, physiotherapy report, resumption report from the employer stating his salary, an affidavit from the employer stating for how many months was he paid for after the injury,” Mkamba indicated.  He added that for assistance with an artificial arm, the doctor who was treating Ngidi should write a referral to an orthotist requesting an artificial arm.  

Neither Tufbag nor the DOL could say how much longer Ngidi would have to wait until he received compensated because the process involved a lot of paperwork.

• Read this report by Zimbili Vilakazi in full at GroundUp

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