Online Reporter
Who they are
Between the 1940s and 1980s, thousands of Zimbabwean men were recruited by the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela) to work in South Africa’s gold mines.
Working conditions
Most worked underground in extreme heat and dust, often without adequate protective gear.
Common diseases included silicosis and tuberculosis (TB), caused by prolonged exposure to silica dust.
Many returned home with chronic illnesses, no pension and little recognition.
The lawsuit
In 2016, ex-mineworkers from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini filed a class action lawsuit against major South African gold mining companies.
In July 2019, the South African High Court approved a historic settlement.
The settlement
The Tshiamiso Trust was established to administer compensation.
Eligible claimants receive once-off payments ranging from R10 000 to R250 000 and up to R500 000 in severe cases.
Over 500 000 mineworkers across the region are estimated to have been affected.
Zimbabwe’s role
An estimated 1 500 to 2 000 Zimbabwean ex-mineworkers were exposed and later returned home.
In October 2025, Tshiamiso Trust partnered with the NSSA to help Zimbabwean claimants access compensation locally.
Accredited clinics in Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru now handle medical assessments and claims.
