CRIPPLED WORKER’S LONG WAIT FOR PAYOUT
STILL WAITING FOR COMPENSATION
A FORMER Gauteng department of education employee’s life took a turn for the worst after he was left partially paralysed following an attack while on duty several years ago.
Alfred Masibi, 47, was employed as a caretaker at Zifuneleni Junior Secondary School in Orlando East, Soweto, when he was stabbed inside the school premises on December 11 2009.
Although the incident happened more than seven years ago, Masibi is yet to be compensated for injury on duty.
“There were teachers who had attended a year-end function and had come to pick up their cars from the school. I went to open the gate for them. I witnessed a stabbing incident near the school and shouted to stop the stabber,” Masibi said.
“While I was walking towards the cottage, the man stabbed me from behind. I thought I was going to die.
“I was stabbed several times, in the neck and back. One of the teachers took me to hospital in his vehicle. I was hospitalised for several weeks and spent six days in the intensive care unit.
“When I was discharged, I was in a wheelchair and could not do anything by myself. For months I was bathed, fed and clothed like a baby.”
The father of three said he was in constant pain and cannot live without medication. He takes 16 tablets a day.
He struggles with his speech, limps and his right arm can barely move.
“Doctors said I was permanently disabled. It pains me because I have now become dependant on my wife Thembi, who works as a domestic worker,” Masibi said. “I feel less of a man. At first, I struggled to get the principal to sign forms I needed to submit to claim for compensation. But now I have submitted everything, but I am not getting any joy. I am being sent from pillar to post.”
He said he has been going to the department’s offices, but “I have been wasting money”.
“I cannot work. My wife and I struggle to make ends meet. How am I expected to take medication on an empty stomach. I served the department with dignity for more than eight years, but they have done nothing for me,” Masibi said.
“My medical bill from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital keeps going up because I fetch medication every month.”
According to a hospital statement, as at March 2016 he owed R8 679.