…rolls out outreach programme to ease compensation
Moroke Sekoboto
THE Tshiamiso Trust will roll out an outreach campaign to bring services closer to former mineworkers who have suffered permanent lung damage as a result of occupational diseases – silicosis and work-related tuberculosis (TB).
This after Tshiamiso revealed it was finding it hard to contact about 1 800 Basotho claimants for tuberculosis and silicosis compensation.
Established in 2020 as part of a settlement agreement between six mining companies and claimant attorneys involved in the historic silicosis and tuberculosis class action, the Trust is meant to facilitate compensation for affected former mineworkers.
African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye Stillwater, and Gold Fields are party to the settlement.
To qualify for compensation from the Tshiamiso Trust, mineworkers must meet specific criteria related to their work history and health status. They must have performed risk work at one of the qualifying gold mines during the designated qualifying period, from 12 March 1965 to 10 December 2019.
Claimants who are still alive must also certify that they have permanent lung impairment resulting from silicosis or TB contracted while engaging in risk work at these mines.
Tshiamiso Trust Chief Executive Officer, Munyadziwa Kwinda, said while 9 271 former Basotho mineworkers and their families have been paid over M848 million, many more claimants are yet to benefit.
Dr Kwinda said the outreach activity will bring services to 2647 Basotho claimants waiting to undergo their Benefit Medical Examinations (BMEs), allow for new claims to be lodged, and attract claimants who need to update their contact details or submit outstanding documentation.
“The Trust looks forward to assisting as many claimants in Lesotho as possible. Our services will allow new claims and BMEs to be done on the same day at various locations, enhancing claimants’ accessibility,” Dr Kwinda said.
She said the first phase of the services will concentrate on the lowlands, starting in Butha-Buthe on 21 and 22 July, followed by Leribe on 23 and 24, Berea on 25 and 26, and Maseru from 28 to 31 July.
“From there, services will go to Mafeteng on 1 and 2 and 4 to 7 August, followed by Mohale’s Hoek on 8 and 9 August, and finishing in Quthing on 11 and 12 August 2025. The dates for the second phase of the outreach — covering Mokhotlong, Qacha’s Nek and Thaba-Tseka — will be announced in due course,” she added.
Dr Kwinda explained that BMEs are a crucial step in the claims process.
“They provide the necessary evidence of lung damage resulting from silicosis or tuberculosis, the two occupational diseases that the Trust compensates under specific conditions,” she said, adding that it is important to note that the Trust’s BMEs do not include TB testing.
Tshiamiso Trust Stakeholder Relations and Communications Manager, Lusanda Jiya, said if TB is suspected, claimants will not be allowed to complete their BME but would be referred for testing and would then need to be rescheduled for a BME after being cleared of TB.
Ms Jiya clarified that the Trust does not compensate claimants simply for having TB or silicosis, but only for permanent lung damage resulting from those diseases.
She reiterated that mineworkers must have carried out risk work at one of the qualifying gold mines owned by African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye Stillwater, or Gold Fields during the qualifying period between 12 March 1965 and 10 December 2019.
“Living mineworkers must have permanent lung impairment from silicosis or TB contracted while doing risk work at these mines. For deceased mineworkers, there must be evidence that TB was the primary cause of death within a year of leaving the mine,” Ms Jiya said.
She warned claimants to beware of individuals impersonating the Trust or offering to fast-track claims for a fee.
“Only Tshiamiso Trust can process claims, and the service is free. The only cost that claimants may need to pay is M1400 for the BME, only if they did less than five years of risk work. However, this cost is refunded if they are found to have an eligible claim.
“While several challenges stall our progress in finalising claims and many claimants are frustrated that they did not meet the eligibility criteria, over M2.2 billion has already been paid out across the Trust’s footprint,” Ms Jiya said.
