Kudakwashe Kutinyo

Thembelani Nyoni, a 34-year-old worker from Madumabisa village in Hwange District, is urgently seeking financial assistance after suffering severe burns to his right leg while working at Zhong Leo Coke Company.

Currently hospitalized at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Nyoni reflects on his misfortune after a mishap involving burning coke resulted in his burns. He recounted to Indonsakusa the incident that occurred on June 6 while he and his colleagues were loading coke into a company vehicle.

“We were loading coke into the car when my leg got trapped, and that’s when it was burned. I quickly removed my worksuit to prevent any further damage to my skin,” Nyoni explained.

Nyoni’s immediate supervisor initially offered him an ointment for relief but he insisted on receiving proper medical attention, prompting a foreman to transport him to the nearest hospital.

He now feels abandoned by his employers who have not come to his aid to help him meet his medical expenses.

“When I was admitted, management visited me and provided US$20 on the first day. They also came to check on me the following day, but since then, I haven’t heard from them. I’ve tried calling multiple times, but my calls go unanswered,” he lamented.

Nyoni, who earns US$24 for three days of work, had been employed at Zhong Leo Coke Company for two months without a formal contract, leaving him in a precarious financial situation as he faces mounting hospital bills.

Justice Chinhema, General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union, highlighted the procedures that should have been followed after Nyoni’s accident.

“In the event of a workplace injury, the employer is required to provide immediate first aid and refer the employee to the nearest medical centre. They must also report the incident to the nearest NSSA office and complete the workers’ compensation information form, which would shift the responsibility for medical expenses to NSSA,” he explained.

Chinhema emphasised the challenge many workers face due to employers not registering with NSSA, leaving them without support for injuries sustained at work. “Unfortunately, if a company is not registered with NSSA, they are responsible for covering medical expenses themselves,” he added.

He also stressed the importance of providing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers, especially in the mining and coke industries.

“It is mandatory for employers to supply adequate and appropriate PPE, which should be issued at least twice a year, or more frequently depending on the nature of the work,” Chinhema stated.

Attempts to obtain a comment from Zhong Leo Coke Company’s management were unsuccessful, as calls to their offices went unanswered.

New Ziana