By Silindzelwe Nxumalo
After 2 500 claims were lodged at TEBA offices in the past two years Tshiamiso Trust has launched Benefit Medical Examinations (BMEs) in Eswatini. The services started at Hlatikhulu Government Hospital on 16 October and will be followed by Manzini, Mbabane, and Siteki.
Tshiamiso Trust Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda mentioned that the 2 500 had over 1 000 ex-mineworkers awaiting BMEs for their claims to progress. “The launch of BME pilot services in Eswatini means that the Trust can now book claimants for medical examinations. We encourage claimants to lodge their claims at their nearest TEBA office for them to be booked for BME,” he said.
The CEO mentioned that the pilot services were part of their ongoing efforts to provide greater access to the Trust’s services and ensure that eligible claimants could receive the compensation that was due to them.
He explained that the BMEs were a critical part of the claims process as the examinations provided the required evidence of silicosis or tuberculosis and indicated the extent of the lung damage that enabled the Trust to certify claims accordingly.
“We are grateful for the support of the government in Eswatini, as well as ex-mineworkers’ associations and other local partners as we continue to expand and improve our footprint,” said Kwinda. He added that the BME services were available at Hlatikhulu Government Hospital from October 16 to 27, in Manzini from October 30 to November 6, in Mbabane from November 7 to 9, and in Siteki on November 13.
“Venues are yet to be announced in the other places. We urge emaSwati to keep an eye on our social media pages as venues will be updated there,” he said. The CEO mentioned that mineworkers and families of deceased mineworkers who meet the criteria but have not yet lodged a claim were encouraged to do so now at the TEBA office in Mbabane or in Nhlangano or call Tshiamiso Trust call back number on 00 27 10500 6186.
He further reminded the claimants to be careful of people impersonating the Trust or promising to help speed up their claims. “Only the Tshiamiso Trust can process claims. This is a FREE service. Claimants must only share their documents with the officials at the lodgment offices,” he emphasized.
. . . “WE WILL PRIORITIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY” – EX-MINERS UNION
Eswatini Mine Workers Unions say they were going to prioritize this opportunity as they had been waiting for it. Eswatini Mine Workers Unions Chairman Vama Jele as the association they were going to prioritize the opportunity as they had been waiting for it.
Jele mentioned that the Southern Africa Miners Association (SAMA) facilitates regional advocacy in ensuring that services to the community of ex-mineworkers become a reality. He said SAMA had nine member countries for the community of ex-mineworkers – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Chairman stated the SAMA had several meetings with the Government of Eswatini and that it was the government that granted access to the Tshiamiso Trust to come into the country to assess and compensate living ex-mineworkers and dependents which happened in a very short space of time.
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Jele stated that the Trust knew very well how hard it was to get the government’s approval while the Eswatini Government was mostly welcome to engage and approve what benefits emaSwati. “Even though they have given access they are continuing to monitor and account to the nation and the ex-miners. Government role is very huge as the Trust covers those claimants from 1965 to 2019,” he said.
Jele encouraged the relationship between all parties in ensuring that ex-miners receive the services and compensation. He stated that this was an ongoing exercise until the last miner passed on within the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD), Department of Health, South Africa under the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act (ODMWA).
He mentioned that they also appreciated the Miner’s Associations for their advocacy roles, which bear fruition for these medical services and access to compensation. “We take note the role of the associations is very important since the need to continue to build awareness, social mobilization and support those who receive and those who were not able to receive compensation with the management of expectations,” he said.
He added that they took note that the other mines that couldn’t settle in the R5 billion would never be left out henceforth the lawyers were working on their appeal.
“Further there is another case for all those who worked in the coal mines in South Africa and suffered coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. This case is still in court, and we look forward to its completion to be in favor of ex-miners who are suffering,” he revealed.
