Online Reporter
Mathew Masinge
THE National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has signed a memorandum of association with a South African organisation, Tshiamiso Trust, for the compensation of ex-Wenela mine workers.
The MoU follows a South Africa High Court ruling that ordered the settlement after an agreement was reached between six mining companies and attorneys in the historic silicosis and TB class action. The six are African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye Stillwater and Gold Fields.
Tshiamiso Trust was established to compensate all eligible former mineworkers, or their dependents, and these beneficiaries are found in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zambia. They worked in South African mines between March 12, 1965, and December 10, 2019.
Thousands of Zimbabwean ex-Wenela mineworkers, who have been desperately waiting for this breakthrough, will be required to undergo medical assessments to determine eligibility for the once-off compensation.
Baines Occupational Health Services was appointed as the accredited service provider at its clinics in Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo.
Speaking at the launch of the compensation services and signing ceremony, Tshiamiso Trust CEO, Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda, said his organisation is committed to reach all eligible claimants across Zimbabwe.
“The Tshiamiso Trust and NSSA are pleased to announce the official commencement of services to assist former mineworkers in Zimbabwe seeking compensation for permanent lung damage due to silicosis and work-related tuberculosis contracted in South African gold mines.
“We have formalised cooperation between the two entities to ensure access to compensation for eligible former mineworkers and their dependents.
“We are honoured to mark this moment in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and NSSA, through this agreement, all ex-mineworkers can now lodge their claims and complete the medical assessments required to determine their eligibility for compensation.
“This is about restoring dignity and delivering on the promise made to the men and families who built the mining industry,” said Dr Kwinda.
NSSA CEO, Dr Charles Shava said:
“Zimbabwe is home to many who spent their working lives in South Africa’s mines and returned home with illnesses that changed their futures.
“Through this collaboration, we are ensuring that those who qualify can now access the compensation due to them, closer to where they live.
“NSSA remains committed to working with regional partners like Tshiamiso Trust to expand social security and strengthen cross-border protection for our workers,” said Dr Shava.
To lodge a claim, all ex-mineworkers must have carried out risk work at one of the qualifying gold mines between 12 March 1965 and 10 December 2019. Living mineworkers must have permanent lung impairment from silicosis or TB that they contracted while doing risk work at these mines.
If the mineworker did less than five years of risk work they will need to pay R1,900 for the Benefit Medical Examination (BME), which will be paid back to them if they have an eligible claim.
Those who did more than five years of qualifying risk work will receive a free BME.
For deceased mineworkers, there must either be evidence that they died from work-related TB within a year of leaving the mine if it’s a TB claim.
They also have to provide evidence that they had silicosis if the mineworker died between 1 January 2008 and 10 December 2019.
Mathew Masinge