Leandra based ex-apprentice sees the light after hardships

LEANDRA – Mr Zakhele Mthabela (31) was in search of answers and closure after the tragedy he experienced at a substation in eMbalenhle on 28 August.

Mr Mthabela was an apprentice in the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s three-year municipal infrastructure support agent (MISA) programme from 3 November 2017.

He was however, injured on 28 August last year and his thumb was amputated.

He spent about three months in a hospital in Johannesburg after the injury.

Now, Mr Mthabela has to state that he is disabled when applying for a job.

Echo/Ridge recently reported on Mr Mthabela’s frustration with the municipality for not sticking to their original agreement with him.

The municipality however, claimed Mr Mthabela demanded employment from the Energy Region 3 management.

They alleged that upon explaining their pre-employment procedures to him, he became aggressive towards the senior technician and the supervisor.

Mr Benzi Soko, Chief of Staff in the office of the Executive Mayor, and spokesman for the Govan Mbeki Municipality issued a statement on this issue.

“As much as the section management sympathised with the student due to his condition, no preferential treatment could be given to him as there were other students who also participated in the training.

“They also needed to be given a fair chance in the event of the positions being advertised, which didn’t sit well with the injured student.”

Mr Soko’s statement included the events that happened on the day of the injury according to the senior technician, but excluded a response on allegations that Mr Mthabela was ill-treated.

Furthermore, other claims made by Mr Mthabela were not addressed by the municipality, including the fact that the municipality’s records of the incident do not state that he was an amputee.

Mr Mthabela hopes that his future will be brighter, and that no one else will have to go through what he has experienced with the municipality.

He was recently offered a job by a company in Evander, and although the job is not permanent, it will sustain Mr Mthabela until he finds a permanent position.

Also read: