Zimbabweans Who Worked In South Africa's Gold Mines In The 1970s Set To Be Compensated

Zimbabweans who contracted tuberculosis or silicosis while working in South Africa’s gold mines in the 1970s are being called to register for a compensation class settlement. The proposed settlement is subject to certain conditions and must be approved by the High Court when it sits from May 29 to 31, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Recently, South African mines reached a conditional settlement to pay compensation of up to R500 000 each to thousands of Zimbabweans who used to work in the neighbouring country’s mines in the 1970’s, subject to approval by the High Court. Six companies, African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American SA, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony, Sibanye-Stillwater and some of the affiliate mining entities have reached a conditional settlement to pay compensation to eligible former Wenela mine workers and dependants of those who have passed away.

Wenela is an acronym for Witwatersrand Native Labour Association, comprising former Southern African mine workers drawn from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and Mozambique.