From protector, father and provider to beggar: Tumelo's plea
Good Morning Angels and Pick n Pay assisted Tumelo Tau with food, groceries, and clothing for the festive season and the new year, to the value of R35,000.
It has been more than two years, but the night of 19 June 2022 still haunts Tumelo Tau every day. Tumelo worked as a security guard on a mining site in Carletonville.
That night, Tumelo was shot by illegal miners while courageously performing his duties. He sustained life-threatening injuries, including severe damage to his neck, face, leg, and foot, which required immediate and multiple surgical interventions.
Tumelo survived the attack and no effort was spared to help him heal.
However, he is still in pain an unable to work. His company is assisting him as much as they can, but Tumelo’s claim for medical incapacity has been denied and his workman's compensation and UIF has not paid out.
In the meantime, Tumelo and his family are without an income, and he is losing hope.
His colleague, Yolande White, reached out to Good Morning Angels to assist Tumelo and his family in this difficult time - especially with food and clothing.
REQUEST FOR: Tumelo Tau
REQUEST FROM: Yolande White
ANGEL: Pick n Pay, our Good Morning Angels Festive Edition sponsor - creating moments of Magic this Festive Season.
SPONSORING: Nothing can replace what was taken from Tumelo and his family, but we do want to take some of the financial burden off Tumelo's shoulders. Therefore, Pick n Pay will assist Tumelo with food, groceries, and clothing for the festive season and the new year, to the value of R35,000.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Angels Team,
My name is Yolande, and I am the site administrator where Tumelo worked. On the night of June 19, 2022, Tumelo was involved in a violent encounter at a mining site in Carletonville—a typical South African violent incident that we have sadly become so accustomed to. That night, Tumelo was shot by illegal miners while courageously performing his duties. He sustained life-threatening injuries, including severe damage to his neck, face, leg, and foot, which required immediate and multiple surgical interventions.
The night of the incident was nothing short of a nightmare. The darkness over Carletonville was thick and unforgiving, the air heavy with a tension that seemed to whisper of the evil lurking in the shadows. Tumelo, a loyal and brave officer, stood guard at the mining site, unaware that his life was about to be torn apart by the cold hands of fate.
It began with the distant echoes of footsteps, barely audible over the drone of the night. The silence was shattered by the deafening crack of gunfire, a brutal symphony of violence that pierced the night. Tumelo was hit again and again, blood pouring from his wounds, each breath a battle against the agony that surged through his body.
In a desperate race against death, an emergency team arrived and made the quick decision to airlift him to Milpark Hospital. There, skilled surgeons fought to save his life, but the damage was catastrophic. A bullet had lodged itself at the junction of his spine, threatening to rob him of movement, of life itself. His face was shattered, his body riddled with wounds that would take months, even years, to heal—if they ever did.
Tumelo survived, but he was robbed of a normal life, of the future he had once taken for granted. The pain is relentless, a constant reminder of the night that stole his dreams. His body, once strong and capable, is now a prison of agony and weakness. He can no longer provide for his family as he once did; the burden of his injuries is too great to bear alone.
Following the incident, Tumelo received significant support from our company, the client, and our management team. He underwent multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. Despite our best efforts and ongoing support, Tumelo's recovery has been slow, and the injuries have left a lasting impact on his ability to function. His role as a father has been severely affected, as he struggles with chronic pain and the side effects of necessary medications, which include drowsiness. These challenges have greatly diminished his quality of life and hindered his ability to care for his loved ones.
To make matters worse, Tumelo’s claim for medical incapacity has been denied, despite clear evidence of his ongoing struggles. The denial is based on medical reports that outline his severe injuries and their impact on his daily life. Furthermore, help from the Unemployment Fund has been non-existent, despite his ongoing contributions. The red tape has suffocated any progress, leaving Tumelo and his family in a dire situation.
I am reaching out to Good Morning Angels with the hope that you can extend your kindness and support to Tumelo during this challenging time. The denial of his medical incapacity claim, coupled with the absence of support from Workman’s Compensation, has left Tumelo and his family to navigate this difficult period alone. Any assistance you can provide will make a significant difference in helping them through this trying time.
Thank you for considering Tumelo's situation. We deeply appreciate any help you can offer to support him in his recovery journey.
Warm regards,
Yolande
Site Administrator
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