More than R42 million in compensation and benefits has been disbursed to former mineworkers and surviving beneficiaries in the Eastern Cape through a 41-day outreach programme.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane welcomed the payouts, which began on 13 July 2026 in Port St Johns.
The initiative, led by Mabuyane and the Department of Employment and Labour through Project Ithubalethu, aims to help former mineworkers and their families access unpaid compensation, social security benefits and statutory claims.
During an ex-mineworkers’ roundtable in Mthatha, officials met with beneficiaries and oversaw claims processing through mobile UIF and Compensation Fund units.
Additional services included health screenings, social security assistance, work-seeker registration and identity document services.
Meth said the programme had made significant progress, with R1.4 million paid out on its first day.
“Some of the claimants are old and frail, while some of the beneficiaries have lost their husbands and fathers due to occupational diseases such as silicosis and TB,” she said.
No tags for this post.
