News Room

Media Advisory: Government returns to KZN for ex-miners compensation fund Imbizo

Date Published: 03 Mar 2023

To: Editors, Journalists & Producers
Issued by: Departments of Health, Employment and Labour, Mineral Resources and
Energy
Date: Wednesday, 01 March 2023

Pongola: Government departments will, this week (on Thursday, 02 March) hold an
imbizo in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal to provide feedback to stakeholders on the progress
made with regards to the ex-mineworkers compensation fund programme, and urge
eligible claimants to continue with the lodgement process.


This follows an outreach programme conducted in the province in partnership with
various stakeholders including the Southern African Miners Association (SAMA),
Minerals Council South Africa, the gold mining company – Harmony and the Tshiamiso
Trust in consultation the traditional leaders, targeting former mineworkers or their
beneficiaries for unclaimed social protection benefits due to them.


The government has announced its partnership with various compensation fund
schemes and other social protection benefits last month for those who contracted TB,
Silicosis and other occupational lung diseases while working in the mines, together
with those who were not paid their pension or provident funds.


This outreach programme has enabled the provision of claims lodgement, medical
assessment, and banking services at various sites in the northern parts of KwaZulu-
Natal (Vryheid, eDumbe, Ulundi, Nongoma and Pongola) as part of government’s
mission to bring services closer to our people.


The national government will be represented by the Deputy Ministers of Health, Dr
Sibongiseni Dhlomo) and Mineral Resources and Energy, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. They
will be joined by the various provincial and local government leaders, and senior
executives from mining companies, Tshiamiso Trust, SAMA and representatives from
organised labour formations operating in the sector.

Members of the media are invited to join the imbizo scheduled as follows:
Date: Thursday, 02 March 2023
Time: 10h00 – 13h00
Venue: Belgrade Community Hall, Pongola – Kwazulu-Natal

More information about compensation funds and claim procedures, can be obtained
on 0801000240 or 0105006186/ mbodclaims@xds.co.za .

For RSVP, Mr Howard Kgoa at Howard.kgoa@health.gov.za or 0763740314

For media enquiries and interviews ONLY, please contact:

Mr Foster Mohale
National Health Department
0724323792
Foster.mohale@health.gov.za

Johannes Mokobane
Mineral Resources and Energy
0827663674
Johannes.Mokobane@dmre.gov.za

Sabelo Mgotywa
Harmony Gold
0836782557
Sabelo.mgotywa@harmony.co.za

Invites