Ex-mineworkers who lodged claims still to receive benefits
Tshiamiso Trust is yet to pay ex-mineworkers who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis or silicosis. Its CEO explains why and what beneficiaries can do.
Ex-mineworkers are in distress as they claim the Tshiamiso Trust is delaying paying beneficiaries.
According to the secretary general of the ex-mineworkers veterans for all organisations, Xolani Njingana, ex-mineworkers signed a contract with the Tshiamiso Trust. He continued to state that the trust pays beneficiaries after they are diagnosed with tuberculosis or silicosis and unable to work.
“The process to pay these beneficiaries was supposed to conclude between three to six months, however, it has been more than two years and many ex-mineworkers have still received no payment,” Njingana stated.
According to Njingana, more than 2 000 workers have still not received the trust’s benefits and he is worried that the criteria used by the trust are delaying the process.
On February 9, Njingana arranged a meeting with the workers to discuss the challenges. While the meeting was taking place, he stated that he appointed a legal team that is currently mitigating the various problems that workers have to battle. The goal of the meeting was to communicate the progress report from their attorneys, according to Njingana.
The Randfontein Herald approached the trust for comment and Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda, CEO of the trust,
stated that to date, the trust has compensated nearly 15 800 claims, amounting to just over R1,4 billion.
“It is important to understand that the compensation facilitated through the Tshiamiso Trust does not serve as a comprehensive solution to all the challenges faced by mineworkers and ex-mineworkers over the decades,” he said.
Kwinda added that the trust works under a mandate outlined in the Trust Deed, thereby adhering to prescribed terms and conditions. Therefore a significant number of claimants have not yet received their claims.
Furthermore, Kwinda explained the various reasons for delayed claims.
“Incomplete documentation at the lodgement stage remains a prevalent cause of certification delays, particularly for claims concerning deceased mineworkers. In this case, claimants need to apply for additional documents related to the cause of death and proof of relationship.”
Meanwhile, for living mineworkers, confirmation of compensable diseases relies on medical professionals and Benefit Medical Examinations (BMEs). Kwinda explained that claimants must undergo treatments, provide proof of completion and undergo a lung function test within 24 months post-treatment.
“In addition to these challenges, about 30% of claimants become uncontactable post-lodgement due to changes in their contact information, posing further obstacles in scheduling BMEs, requesting documentation, and finalising claims.”
Contact the trust to find out what is delaying your claim:
• Phone the call centre number on 080 1000 240 or send a “Please call me” to 072 557 8077.
• Email info@tshiamisotrust.com
