Distressed and dumped mineworker wants payout
Back injury cost Maruping his job but Compensation Fund is stalling
Abram Mosimaneotsile Maruping has not slept in his bed since 1998 following an accident four years earlier in which he seriously injured his back while on duty.
Maruping, a former mineworker who turns 58 next week, has been waiting for compensation from the Compensation Fund for the injury he suffered while working as a rock drill operator at Impala Platinum’s Wildebeesfontein North mine in Rustenburg on April 6 1994.
He stopped sleeping in his bed on physiotherapists’ advice.
Maruping has been wearing a lumbar support belt, which he received from the mine hospital after his hospitalisation following his injury.
“I wear it day and night,” said Maruping as he unbuttoned his shirt to show the lumbar support belt.
The father of six has been unemployed since 1997 after he was retrenched by one of the world’s largest platinum mining companies.
He collects his medication every month from a local clinic and survives on a disability grant.
Maruping said he was still waiting for compensation for the injury that led to him being informed he could not perform the duties of a rock drill operator but less strenuous tasks.
Maruping’s ex-employer however have since received their compensation, of over R1 200, for the period of Maruping’s hospitalisation (April 6 and May 17 1994).
“We’ve been living in a democracy for 23 years but I’ve benefited nothing,” he said from his modest home in Madibogo outside Delareyville, North West.
Maruping was told he had suffered a disc prolapse by seven of the eight doctors who examined him over the years, including his then employer’s, who put his extent of disability at 33%, which means it is permanent.
He said after his ex-employer’s denial of his injury, the fund set up a hearing in June 2013 and his objection succeeded.
However, the Compensation Fund’s doctor in Rustenburg differed with the rest and claimed Maruping was not permanently injured.
On December 5 2014, Maruping consulted an orthopaedic spinal specialist who confirmed the original diagnosis.
“I submitted my medical report to the Compensation Fund on December 17 2014 with registered mail,” he said.
Maruping is frustrated that follow-ups with the fund’s officials to ask them to trace his medical report for assessment of his claim failed.
Compensation Fund commissioner Vuyo Mafata did not respond to requests for comment made a week ago.
We’ve been living in a democracy for 23 years but I’ve benefited nothing Abram Maruping FORMER ROCK DRILL OPERATOR