Pretoria – Former mine workers who qualify for occupational diseases compensation and those whose pension payments were outstanding have been warned about a social media scam to steal their money.
In a weekend communique, the government said: “It has noted with concern a misleading digital poster circulating on social media platforms bearing the face of Prophet Moporo, inviting all former mine workers and their families to be assisted with compensation fund applications.”
The communique added: “The government distances itself from this event (planned for 1 May 2023 at Maluti TVET College) and considers this as a scam by conmen who want to take advantage of and enrich themselves out of the plight of former mineworkers (and their dependents).”
The scam is targetting miners due for compensation because they contracted TB, Silicosis, and other occupational lung diseases while working in the mines between March 1965 and December 2019.
Miners who were not paid their pension or provident funds are also being targeted by scammers.
The national government has delegated the responsibility of coordinating this countrywide Ex-Mineworkers Compensation Programme to the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo; the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Boitumelo Moloi; and the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, in partnership with various stakeholders including the Southern African Miners Association (SAMA), Minerals Council South Africa, Tshiamiso Trust and the mining companies.
“No individual or organisation has been outsourced to carry out this mandate on behalf of the government,” said the joint communique issued by the Department of Health, Department of Employment & Labour, and Department of Mineral Resources & Energy.
“Thus, people are warned to ignore anyone claiming to be representing the government, or never pay any fee to be assisted to lodge a claim, because the lodgement process is free of charge.
“The programme is part of government`s efforts to track, trace and pay the former mine workers or their dependents who qualify for compensation funds, class action settlement funds, and pension/provident funds.
“The Deputy Ministers have been leading this programme to several communities around the country, starting with KwaZulu-Natal, followed by Eastern Cape.
“The public will be informed well on time of the dates, times and venues for the next provincial visits, together with required documents to bring along.”
For information about the Ex-miners Compensation Fund Programme, members of the public can call the Call Centre on 080 1000 240/ 010 500 6186/ Send a Please Call Me to 072 557 8077.
