Ex-Wenela workers to wait longer for compensation

Theseus Shambare

ZIMBABWEANS who contracted respiratory diseases while working in South African gold mines from the 1960s to the 1980s will have to wait a little bit longer to get compensation, as the organisation responsible for facilitating payment of the funds is yet to commence operations locally.

At least 1 000 Zimbabweans who worked under the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela) are set to benefit.

Tshiamiso Trust executive for stakeholder relations and communications Ms Lusanda Jiya told The Sunday Mail that they are working towards completing several essential steps.

“This includes establishing agreements with the Government, engaging with ex-mineworkers’ associations and securing collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. While the trust currently utilises The Employment Bureau of Africa (TEBA) Limited as a lodgement service provider in all other countries where there are operations, it is important to note that TEBA does not have a footprint in Zimbabwe,” said Ms Jiya.

Zimbabwe, Namibia and Malawi have not had miners at Wenela from around 1983 and databases have been hard to find compared to workers from countries like Eswatini, which has more recent data.

As a result, she said, the preparatory exercise for Zimbabwe differs from other countries.

“The trust is working to navigate these complexities and ensure that the necessary groundwork is laid before initiating operations in Zimbabwe,” Ms Jiya explained.

“Living claimants are required to lodge a claim at the lodgement office and undergo a benefit medical examination. The medical certification obtained from the examination determines the eligibility of the claim. Due to the absence of lodgement offices in Zimbabwe, claim lodgements cannot be processed at present.

“For now, the affected Zimbabwean workers will have to wait longer to receive the compensation they deserve.”

She added: “The trust remains committed to fulfilling its mandate and providing compensation to eligible claimants, but the timeline for the initiation of operations in Zimbabwe is contingent upon successfully completing all necessary engagements and obtaining the required permissions from the Government.”

Ex-Wenela Miners Association head of communications Mr Joseph Makaya said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) needs to be signed between the Government and Tshiamiso Trust.

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