The Department of Health will this week begin the screening, verification, examination and payment of eligible former mine workers who contracted Tuberculosis (TB) or Silicosis between March 1965 and December 2019.
The two-week state program will begin in northern KwaZulu-Natal before moving on to other provinces, with the department urging all former mine workers or their dependents to visit the nearest shelter.
What to bring
Applicants must bring relevant documents such as a South African identity document (ID) or a Southern African Development Community (SADC) passport, industrial card as well as service records from the mine where they worked.
Also important are the available medical records, the death certificate of the deceased mine worker as well as the autopsy report, if available.
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According to the World Bank, TB is a significant problem in the mining industry in South Africa, with the rate of Tuberculosis in the mining workforce estimated at 2,500-3,000 cases per 100,000 individuals in South Africa.
This incidence, the World Bank says, is 10 times the WHO threshold for a health emergency and nearly three times the incidence rate in the general population.
Factors that determine the amount
Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the amount of TB and Silicosis compensation would depend on a number of factors, including the severity of permanent respiratory problems suffered by miners and their history of working in qualifying and non-qualifying mines.
“However, if a mine worker has died, dependents are advised to submit relevant documents including the death certificate.
“Claims for mine workers who died before December 10, 2019 will only be eligible if the main cause of death is silicosis or TB, or there is an approved Occupational Diseases in Mines and Occupations (ODMWA) certificate or other exemptions,” he said.
Claim site
- January 23-24: Vryheid Hospital and Dumbe Community Health Center to serve the local community.
- 26 – 27 January: Nkonjeni Hospital for community service around Ulundi.
- 30 January – 04 February: Itshelejuba Hospital to serve people from Pongola and surrounding communities. Benedictine Hospital to serve people from Nongoma, Usuthu and surrounding communities.
- 01 February: Benedictine Hospital for the service of people from Mandlakazi and the local community.
- 02 February: Benedictine Hospital to serve people from Matheni and the local community.
To check the validity of a potential claim, contact the Tshiamiso Call Center on 080 1000 240 within SA borders, or send a WhatsApp message to 078 504 9004 or email info@tshiamisotrust.com.
A list of gold mines and qualifying periods can be accessed here.
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