Blind man sleeps outside Evander Gold Mine
A blind man has been sleeping under a tree outside the Evander Gold Mine for nearly a month and is demanding money because he was allegedly robbed by the mine.
Mr David Mohapi, a former employee, said he will not go away until the mine pays what is due to him.
His right eye was injured while he was on duty in 1997.
He said he was taken to the mine hospital in Johannesburg and the operation did not go well, because his left eye was affected and he became blind.
The mine terminated his service due to permanent medical incapacitation in June 2003.
Mr Mohapi said he opened a case and won it in 2011.
The mine paid out compensation for occupational injuries.
A letter dated 11 May 2011 from the RMA Life Insurance Company Limited stated that the total monthly payment of R3 001-40 would be deposited into his bank account on the 22nd of each month and that the accrued pension from 20 March 1998 to 30 April 2011 amounted to R303 689-62.
Mr Mohapi however refused to go home and have stayed at the mine’s hostel since then.
The mine discovered that he was staying at the hostel illegally last year and evicted him.
Mr Anthony Maki, Human Resources manager, said: “We have proof and documents that he was paid his package and he is also receiving a monthly payment of about R4 500 for life.
Read the complete article in the Echo newspaper on our website here.
For free daily local news in the South, visit our sister newspapers Highvelder, Standerton Advertiser
For more news and interesting articles, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram
