The Sunday Mail
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
Over 1 500 Zimbabweans who worked in South African gold mines under the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela) have undergone testing for respiratory diseases they contracted while working for the mining companies.
They will soon have their names transmitted to the Trust responsible for payment of their compensation.
The testing and registration exercise being undertaken countrywide by the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) is a prerequisite for submitting claims for compensation by ex-mine workers who contracted either pneumoconiosis or silicosis while working in the neighbouring country.
Tshiamiso Trust, the organisation responsible for payment of the compensation amounting to R5 billion, is preparing to set up a local office next year to expedite the process. Statistics obtained by NSSA show that 885 workers have been tested in Masvingo province, while 442 have been examined in Bulawayo. Harare accounts for 230 claimants.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Ex-Wenela Miners Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Lungelwe Mkhwananzi said names of those who have been tested are being submitted to Tshiamiso Trust.
“Those who have been examined through NSSA are more than a thousand and their names are being submitted to Tshiamiso Trust. There are some members who have started receiving direct phone calls from the Trust for verification of their details to see if the information given was correct.
“For those with details that would have been verified, avenues will be opened for them to start making claims,” he said.
The Trust, he added, was preparing to set up offices in Zimbabwe to speed up the processes.
“We had a meeting with Tshiamiso staff last week (a fortnight ago) where we agreed to work together to speed up all the processes. In 2022, we expect people to see things happening.
“We are happy that the Trust has come on board to help us and they will soon start operating in Zimbabwe as of next year, which is a great development for us.”
Thousands of Zimbabweans migrated to South Africa during the mid-century gold rush to work in mines owned by African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American, AgloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony and Sibanye-Stillwater. However, as a result of poor ventilation in the mines, many of them contracted respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis and silicosis.
The migrant workers were not paid employment benefits accrued during their years of service. Lawyers representing the ex-Wenela workers and the companies reached an historic R5 billion settlement agreement in 2016. The South Gauteng High Court approved the settlement in 2019, paving way for the workers and their dependants to start receiving the money.
