01 Jul 2025

The Tshiamiso Trust has broadened its reach, launching services in Molepolole, Gaborone, and Kanye throughout June. 

These initiatives aim to facilitate the lodging of compensation claims for former Batswana gold mineworkers suffering from permanent lung damage due to silicosis and tuberculosis (TB), alongside conducting Benefit Medical Examinations (BMEs) when necessary. To date, the Trust has disbursed P81.3 million to approximately 963 claimants in compensation. 

In an interview on Thursday, Ms Lusanda Jiya, the stakeholders relations and communications executive at Tshiamiso Trust, noted that since the introduction of BME services in November 2024, over 1 968 former gold mineworkers have been assessed for compensable diseases, specifically permanent lung damage from silicosis or TB related to their time working at qualifying mines. 

“While TEBA (The Employment Bureau of Africa) offices in Molepolole and Palapye remain available for claim assistance, this expansion to Gaborone and Kanye signifies our commitment to enhancing accessibility for claimants,” Ms Jiya stated. 

She elaborated that their service roll-out had covered Molepolole, Gaborone and Kanye in June, noting in addition that the TEBA office in Palapye continues to accept new claims. With these intensified efforts, Ms Jiya urged all ex-gold miners suffering from lung impairment due to silicosis or work-related TB to file their claims if they qualify or undergo a BME when required. 

She also encouraged the dependents of deceased miners to determine their eligibility for claims. Ms Jiya noted that while Tshiamiso Trust’s BMEs do not include TB tests, if active TB is suspected, claimants must first be tested and cleared of TB before proceeding with the BME. 

Furthermore, she said the Trust only compensated for permanent lung damage resulting from silicosis or TB, based on specific medical eligibility criteria. She explained that after BMEs, the Trust’s Medical Certification Panel (MCP) assessed the findings to determine claim eligibility. 

Data indicates that approximately 70 per cent of claims from both living and deceased mineworkers are deemed ineligible as they do not meet the qualifying disease criteria set forth in the Trust Deed, a document specifying among others, the criteria to qualify for compensation. 

According to the eligibility criteria, mineworkers must have worked under risk conditions at qualifying mines owned by companies such as African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye Stillwater, or Gold Fields between March 12, 1965, and December 10, 2019. 

Living mineworkers must show evidence of permanent lung impairment from silicosis or TB contracted during their work at the mines, while for deceased mineworkers, claims require proof that TB was the primary cause of death within a year of leaving the mine.

Ms Jiya emphasised that thorough assessments follow the Trust Deed's provisions, with criteria varying across the ten categories available for compensation. 

Claimants must understand that compensation from the Trust constitutes a one-time payment, and once received, no further claims can be made, even if the condition worsens over time. 

However, if a claimant is initially deemed ineligible but later shows symptoms of silicosis, they are allowed to lodge one additional claim. 

She cautioned claimants against individuals impersonating the Trust or offering to expedite claims, emphasising that the claims process is free. 

“Claimants should be wary of those falsely assuring quicker processing or requesting money. The only potential cost for claimants is R1 400 (P1 050) for the BME, applicable only if they did less than five years of risk work. 

However, this amount is reimbursed should they qualify for an eligible claim,” she noted. 

In conclusion, Ms Jiya expressed her appreciation for the significant progress made in Botswana, attributing this success to the unwavering support from key stakeholders, including government and local service providers, who played a vital role in assisting eligible claimants. ENDS