The Tshiamiso Trust has begun paying out workers who contracted silicosis and TB in South Africa’s gold mines, but the amounts are paltry against what they have lost to poor health over the years.
Despite winning a R5 billion settlement in 2018, miners who contracted TB and silicosis at work and the family members of those who died are still waiting for that payment
Beneficiaries will now be able to apply to get money from the settlement almost two years after the Johannesburg high court ruled on the matter.
The payouts to affected miners who were part of the class action will provide a modicum of justice
It will give current and ex gold mineworkers an opportunity to receive a medical examination and compensation for those suffering from silicosis
Potential claimants and their dependents are encouraged to also contact the call centre
Mthobeli Gangatha has learnt to accept that nothing, not even part of the R5-billion settlement announced by lawyers, will ever reverse his condition
Impoverished families will have some relief after a class action against 29 mining firms succeeds
The industry’s disgraceful behaviour takes place as death whittles away the number of claimants, writes Richard Meeran.