VUSI Mahlangu wants his boss to pay him for losing a finger at work.
The 33-year-old from Zakheni Village near KwaMhlanga said he lost his finger as he was trying to close the truck's rear door.
He said they had just finished loading cattle onto the truck when the incident happened on 27 December 2023.
Vusi told Daily Sun that his boss instructed him and his colleagues to go and fetch cattle at his farm in Richardsbay, KZN.
He said they brought them to his other farm in Wagendrift near Tshwane.
"After finishing loading the cattle onto the truck, I tried to close the tailgate and lock it, but accidentally, it cut my finger. My boss asked his wife to take me to the hospital. He only paid me my usual weekly wage after my injury. I no longer want to work for him," Vusi said.
He said he had no choice but to go back home to heal. He wasn't paid during his stay at home.
He told the SunTeam that he has been working at the mlungu's farm since 2004 after he dropped out of school.
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Vusi said he wants compensation as he was never called or asked to come and sign any documents after the incident.
The mlungu boss, Phillip Lumbrick, responded and said he would compensate Vusi.
"One of my workers is busy processing documents for him to get paid. I'm not sure when he will get the money, but we're working on it," he said.
Spokesman for the Department of Labour and Employment, Tebogo Thejane said they need to be provided with all the information, including the company's name, manager, and physical location. This will help inspectors with their investigative work.
"We'll also need the name of the injured person's ID number to check if the injury was reported. If wasn't reported, the contravention must be reported to the inspectors at a nearest labour centre. If the employer refuses to pay the worker, the CCMA will assist in the matter.
"He's advised Vusi to report to the inspectorate and Compensation Fund at the nearest Department of Employment and Labour," Thejane said.
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