The Chipinge-born man was fired by Sasol Mining ’s Stillfontein branch on July 27 last year, after he swapped his illegally-obtained South African identity document for a Zimbabwean identity document under the ZDP. Instead of benefitting from the SA government’s call, following assurances that there would be a blanket amnesty for those who did so, Samudza is now regretting the decision.
Instead of benefitting from the SA government’s call, following assurances that there would be a blanket amnesty for those who did so, Samudza is now regretting the decision.
“Instead of getting better, my life is now getting worse by the day because no-one seems to be able to help me,” said the 46-year-old, who worked for Sasol for 18 years. “I have been to the Community for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration a number of times, but I lost the case. I have even tried labour and human rights organisations, but still nothing has happened. I now live like a pauper despite having worked loyally for so long.
“My children are starving back in Zimbabwe and it has been very difficult for me to get another job. I regret that I decided to be a law-abiding citizen.”
Samudza’s fortune changed for the worse after the Department of Home Affairs sent a letter to his employer, stating that the man who had been known as Nicholas Tshabalala for two decades was in fact a Zimbabwean migrant.
“I now don’t know what to do. After living and working for so long in this country, I am too old and worn out to try and return to Zimbabwe to start a new life,” he said.
Gabriel Shumba, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum chairman, where this newspaper referred Samudza earlier this year, confirmed the case.
“When he came to our offices, he had already run out of appeal time, but we helped him to make an out-of-time appeal. However, we had problems with his contract,” said Shumba.
Post published in: News