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