Sibongile Mashaba

Sibongile Mashaba

While other dads enjoyed father's day yesterday, Vusumuzi Radebe, pictured, has not seen his wife and children for the past four months.

The 53-year-old father of five, who works day and night, has not left the vicinity of his work place since he started working for Hlanganani Protection Services.

Radebe's job is to look after two horses belonging to the company. He has to clean and feed the horses that are used by the company's security guards to patrol the area at night.

Radebe, who is paid only R1000 a month, lives and works in a bushveld area with no toilet, running water or electricity near Nasrec, Johannesburg. A plastic tent is what he calls home.

Speaking to Sowetan on Friday, Radebe said he wakes up at about 4am to start his work routine and described his treatment by his employer as "inhuman".

"I work only because I have to make a living," he said.

Two months ago Radebe was held up by thieves who stole the horses' saddles. His employer then accused him of stealing the saddles, Radebe said.

A former employee, Samuel du Plessis, said he worked for the company for a week and quit. Du Plessis also stayed in the bush and was not allowed to go home.

Du Plessis was paid R180 for the week and then left the job "because there was no safety guarantee for me".

Hlanganani director Peter Moke said Radebe had been employed by the company for only one month and that his living and working conditions were only temporary.