Widow's claim for hubby's Covid death denied

A widow is fighting a legal battle to be paid out for her husband's Covid death after the labour department initially certified that the death was an occupational injury, but later denied the claim.

- Jabulile Mbatha

Khanyisile Shongwe's husband passed away in August 2020 after he contracted coronavirus, which she believes happened at his workplace, Legal Aid.

Shongwe made a claim under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act in 2021 and received written confirmation from the department that the disease had been contracted at work.

The letter reads: "The Compensation Fund has received the claim and, on the information supplied, liability has been accepted for the payment of compensation and medical expenses."