Former Zimbabwean mineworkers who contracted silicosis or work-related tuberculosis while employed in South African gold mines will now be able to access compensation services locally, following the launch of the Tshiamiso Trust operations in Zimbabwe.
The launch, held in Harare, was accompanied by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Zimbabwe, the National Social Security Authority, and the Tshiamiso Trust.
The agreement formalises cooperation to ensure that eligible ex-mineworkers and their beneficiaries can lodge claims and undergo the necessary medical examinations without having to travel to South Africa.
Tshiamiso Trust Chief Executive Officer, Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda, described the development as “a new chapter of hope and accountability” for thousands of former mineworkers and their families.
“We are honoured to partner with the Government of Zimbabwe and NSSA. This collaboration means claimants can now submit claims and complete medical assessments closer to home. This is about restoring dignity and delivering justice to those who built the mining industry,” said Dr Kwinda.
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He noted that through its operations in South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Botswana, the Trust has paid just under R2.4 billion to more than 25,000 claimants and dependants.
NSSA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Charles Shava, said the partnership strengthens social protection efforts.
“Many Zimbabweans who worked in South Africa’s mines returned home with lifelong illnesses. This collaboration ensures that those who qualify can now access what is due to them closer to where they live,” he said.
Baines Occupational Health Services has been appointed as the accredited service provider and will begin assisting claimants at clinics in Harare, Gweru, and Bulawayo starting November 2025.
During the briefing, one ex-mineworker, Mr. Kaseke, asked whether compensation also covered those who had recovered, suffered accidents, or sustained injuries unrelated to lung disease.
In response, Dr Kwinda clarified that the Trust specifically compensates individuals who developed permanent lung impairment due to silicosis or work-related tuberculosis while performing risk-related work at qualifying gold mines between 1965 and 2019.
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