{
  "id": 18942653,
  "title": "Limpopo cleaner claims R1.71m after colleague allegedly sprays chemical in her face",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/limpopo-cleaner-claims-r1-71m-after-colleague-allegedly-sprays",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T13:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/the-star/news/2026-11-08-limpopo-cleaner-claims-r171m-after-colleague-allegedly-sprays-chemical-in-her-face/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cecilia Nkwinika, a cleaner, is suing her employer, Peppadew International (Pty) Ltd, for R1.71 million after allegedly being sprayed in the face with a chemical by a colleague, resulting in severe eye injuries and psychological trauma. The Limpopo High Court dismissed Peppadew's attempt to block Nkwinika's damages claim by arguing that the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) prevented her from suing her employer for non-occupational injuries. Judge Marisa Naudé-Odendaal found that the incident, which occurred on April 23, 2023, had no connection to Nkwinika's cleaning duties, dismissing the company's argument that it was exempt from liability under COIDA. The court ruled that Peppadew International was not excluded from liability, leaving the determination of liability and the amount of damages to be decided in the main action.",
  "summary": "A Limpopo cleaner is claiming R1.71 million from her employer after alleging that a colleague sprayed a chemical onto her face, causing serious eye injuries, pain and psychological trauma.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}