Amputee was soccer star

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Phumzile Nonzaba (22), whose left foot was amputated after an injury on duty at SeaVuna Fishing, was an avid soccer player for Mossel Bay team, Peace Makers FC.

His foot got caught in the conveyor system at SeaVuna's Mossel Bay Ice Plant on Thursday, 7 February.

Phumzile worked at Seavuna to provide for his family, who live in Asla Park. Talking about the ordeal at his bed at Life Bay View Private Hospital, Phumzile said that when his foot got stuck he was in extreme pain.

"I had worked as a casual at the company since November 2018. My job was to load ice with a spade on to the fish in the crates."

He was wearing gumboots when his foot became trapped. "My colleague shut the system down and we waited for the ambulance. I was lying there, for what felt like about 20 minutes, while they were trying to get me out. All I remember is the pain and the cold of the ice."

At the hospital, Phumzile was immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where doctors amputated his left foot.

Phumzile, who is the father of a two-year-old girl, says he does not know what the future will bring. "I loved soccer and was playing as the goal keeper." He matriculated at Indwe Secondary School and lives with his mother and stepfather. "My mother is a woman of prayer so she is praying for me and my girlfriend says everything will be okay."

Phumzile says, however, he does not know if he will be able to play soccer again.

Meanwhile, SeaVuna has launched a full investigation following the incident.

Spokesperson Mariska Richards says the company regrets the incident and has initiated a full investigation to determine what caused it, especially as the company's health and safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) are aimed at preventing injury and loss of life.

"As it is an injury on duty the medical costs are covered by the Compensation Commissioner and he is also receiving COID leave currently.

"The employee is not liable for any costs."

She says once Phumzile has recovered and the specialists are happy with his progress, the company may look at possibilities to continue to accommodate him.

Peace Makers soccer club spokesperson Lewellyn Brown says what happened is not only bad for the team, but for a whole family.

"He started working to provide for his family." Brown describes Phumzile as their number one goal keeper. He has known him since 2013. "He was so good, another team actually bought him from us, but he came back to play with the Peace Makers."

The Peace Makers team.