GEORGE NEWS - Since the building disaster on 6 May last year, only one injured survivor has received a payout from the Department of Labour for medical expenses and loss of income, according to a volunteer assisting victims and families of those deceased in the incident.

The volunteer, who wants to remain anonymous, said applicants are losing hope of ever receiving the compensation that they are entitled to in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida).

Great Brak-based attorney Ina Bezuidenhout, who is assisting the survivors, says the process has been delayed for various reasons, mostly to do with applications with incomplete supporting documents and forms as well as some employers initially not registered with the Compensation Commissioner. 

"There has also been poor to no communication from the department. Victims were uninformed as to what they needed to do. Some of these people are not fully literate and there are also language barriers."

One woman who was treated at Groote Schuur Hospital was not aware that she had to ask for her medical report immediately. She eventually had to submit a Popia (Protection of Personal Information Act) application for her own medical records. This all takes time.

Bezuidenhout said there also seem to be some internal systemic shortcomings in the department and much red tape. "Some submitted documents got lost in the system, while victims did not keep copies of their applications. It is a nightmare."

South Africans have received payouts

Sarvin Oroogi, a volunteer assisting victims, said the department is requiring the applicants to have a South African bank account, but the banks will only open an account for someone with a work permit. 

"Most of the applicants only have tourist visas, and to obtain a work permit, they have to apply for a work visa, and for that they have to return to their own country. This costs money they do not have. 

"Some have given up hope and have simply left South Africa. According to my knowledge, all South African applicants have received their payouts," said Oroogi.

The Labour Department has since 8 May not responded to George Herald's queries regarding the status of victims' claims.

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