The Department of Labour has encouraged cooperation between employers, employees, social partners as well as communities in general, That’s the view of the Labour Minister, Membathisi Mdladlana. Mdladlana was addressing journalists in Khayelitsha today (October 19) during a handover of a motorised wheel chair to a resident of the township, Mr Mongezi Danster who incurred injuries at work in 1996..
“Today we are witnessing a manifestation of Working Together We Can Do More approach. As a Department we were alerted to this through an SABC broadcast and we immediately dispatched officials to investigate Mr. Danster's situation further. Upon receiving the full details and the Doctor's report, the Compensation Fund assisted with this motorised wheel chair as well as monies due to him”. The Minister said. He complimented the role played by the media. “Today is indicative of the positive role the media can play in making a positive change in our people's lives,” Mdladlana said.
The Minister said that even though employers should take full responsibility for reporting accidents in their workplaces, employees and communities have also a responsibility to inform any office of the Department of such incidents. He reiterated his stance on Health and Safety saying upholding Health and Safety in the workplace is an attitude that all parties need to live by.
The recipient, Mr Danster had this to say “ I feel so happy because my life was in the dark before. I have been suffering for long, but now that Minister Mdladlana and Commissioner Mkhonto brought me my 'Mercedes Benz', I will now be able to visit places such as shopping malls and do what I could not do before.”
Mr. Danster has been using his brother’s dilapidated wheel chair.
Enquiries:
Mzobanzi Jikazana (Ministerial Spokesperson)
Cell: 083 641 2355
