Africa-Press – Botswana. Tshiamiso Trust has made significant strides in expanding its services for former gold mineworkers and their dependents by registering 57 claims during their June outreach initiative in Kanye.
Throughout this effort, a total of 249 Benefit Medical Examinations (BMEs) have been completed, assessing the medical eligibility of 2 112 former miners for compensable diseases.
In a recent interview with BOPA, Ms Lusanda Jiya, the trust’s stakeholder relations and communications executive, explained that the trust had disbursed over P82 million in payments, to 982 eligible ex-mineworkers and their families for compensation related to silicosis and work-related tuberculosis.
Ms Jiya remarked on the positive reception and high public participation during the outreach, particularly in Kanye, where many individuals came forward to receive assistance. Notably, the outreach allowed claimants to lodge new claims and complete BMEs on the same day in Molepolole, Gaborone, and Kanye, streamlining the process considerably.
The trust’s services will continue to be available throughout Botswana, with the Storkfort Health Clinic located in the GABZ FM building in Gaborone now permanently staffed to assist potential claimants with new claim lodgments and BMEs. Additionally, TEBA offices in Molepolole and Palapye remain accessible for new claims.
Those needing assistance in areas like Kanye and Lobatse were advised to contact the trust promptly. Ms Jiya said the eligibility criteria for claims specified that miners must have worked in risk conditions at specific gold mines owned by companies such as African Rainbow Minerals and AngloGold Ashanti between March 12, 1965, and December 10, 2019.
Ms Jiya noted that living miners must demonstrate lung impairment from silicosis or TB contracted during their work, while deceased miners’ claims required varying evidence depending on when they died, relative to their health conditions.
She urged potential claimants to remain vigilant against impersonators claiming to represent the trust or offering expedited claims services, emphasising that the process was free of charge.
Claimants were instructed to submit their documents only to authorised TEBA offices, the Storkfort Health Clinic, and during official outreach events. For further information, potential claimants can reach out through the call-back number (00 27 10 500 6186), WhatsApp (00 27 78 504 9004), the Facebook page (Tshiamiso Trust- Silicosis Settlement), or via email at [email protected].
“The Trust remains humbled by the active participation, support, and collaborations with stakeholders and service providers in Botswana. Through these strategic interventions, we hope to enable many more Batswana claimants to receive the benefits they qualify for,” said Ms Jiya.
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