Ex-Wenela workers warned against fake agents

Bogus and criminal elements posing as Government officials are understood to be accosting ex-Wenela mine workers and demanding payment to facilitate registration for gratuities due to them.

Ex-Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela) workers are set to receive pay-outs ranging between R10 000 (US$600) and R500 000 (US$30 000) each for ten classes of claimants.

Thousands of Zimbabweans migrated to South Africa during the mid-century gold rush to work in gold mines owned by African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony and Sibanye-Stillwater.

However, as a result of poor ventilation in the mines, many of them contracted respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis and silicosis.

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare says it has not engaged any individuals or agencies for registration and testing of ex-Wenela workers.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the registration and testing of ex-Wenela mine workers is being undertaken free of charge by the Government and NSSA.

"The officials will have positive identification at venues on dates to be announced through the media," announced the ministry in a statement on Tuesday.

Mobile registration and testing of the former mine workers is being undertaken in phases in all the country's ten provinces.

"The public is being advised that the dates and venues will be officially announced through various media platforms.

"Members of the public are advised to report such bogus and criminal elements to the nearest police stations," added the statement.