Ekurhuleni: The Gauteng Department of Health is urging ex-mine workers to sign up for phase two of the Ex-Mine Workers Social Security Benefits Programme. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD) and other stakeholders, focused on rolling out the second phase of the programme in the Ekurhuleni district.
According to South African Government News Agency, the programme aims to trace, register, and screen ex-mine workers suffering from occupational diseases to ensure they can access unclaimed benefits and medical surveillance. Many workers left the mining industry due to diseases such as silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) without receiving due compensation.
The department has called on ex-mine workers in the Ekurhuleni district to register at designated venues including Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital, Vosloorus Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Tambo Memorial Hospital, and Pholosong Hospital. Registration is open from Monday, 21 July to Friday, 22 August 2025, from 8am to 4pm on weekdays.
The department advises communities to bring their Makhuluskop (Mineworker’s Identity card), ID documents, and any relevant paperwork from their mining companies to streamline the registration process. Families of deceased mineworkers may also be eligible for benefits.
The first phase of the project successfully reached over 9000 individuals in the West Rand district, with 539 people completing the Benefit Medical Examination tests. The department emphasized the importance of addressing eligibility to ensure deserving individuals receive their entitled benefits.