Maseru __ In a bid to ensure Basotho ex-mineworkers, who contracted Tuberculosis and Silicosis from working in South African mines are compensated, the Parliamentary Social Cluster, Mineworkers Council of Lesotho and Government Ex-Mineworkers Task Team met in Maseru on Wednesday to map the way forward.

Speaking at the meeting, the Social Cluster Chairperson Mr. Mokhothu Makhalanyane said he convened the meeting with the objective to come up with solutions regarding challenges that hinder payments of ex-mineworkers.

He indicated that earlier at the meeting, which brought together the African Union, Southern African Development Community and the International European Union Board amongst others, it was disclosed that M5 Billion was put aside to pay beneficiaries from 10 countries but only 50 percent of this money has been used.

He said it was reported that this is due to lack of valid documents that should be presented such as marriage and death certificates and affidavits amongst others hence delaying the payment process.

However he said it was revealed that some have received their money although some were not paid the amount they deserved as they were wrongly classified.

Speaking at the same event, Mine-workers Council of Lesotho Secretary Dr. Clifford Molefe said Ts'iamo Trust, which manages claims for above mentioned ex-mine workers indicated that 1800 Basotho beneficiaries are untraceable, and that it needs documents such as water and electricity receipt bills of which beneficiaries do not have.

He added that the Trust rejects death certificates which do not indicate TB and Silicosis as cause of death yet the deceased were given certificates which proved that they contracted these diseases when they were released from work.

On the other hand, Mr. Kabi Moeketsi from TEBA said they are faced with a challenge of some beneficiaries who died holding South African Identity Documents and their relatives struggle to get South African death certificates as they died in the country.

Dr. Lineo Raselimo from Sankatana said they are faced with a challenge of failure to transport lungs and hearts of eligible ex mine workers who died to the South African Medical Bureau of Occupational Diseases (MBOD) for examination due to a contract which has ended.

She also disclosed that they have not been transported since COVID-19 as there were cross border issues with regard to transporting such equipment, saying they have so far collected 31 hearts and lungs.

On the other hand, Dr. Hatane Hatane from Mafeteng Hospital said the deceased hearts and lungs no longer have name tags thus they are unable to assist relatives.

However, he was advised to ensure family members make DNA tests so that owners of such equipment could be known.

One of the ex-mineworkers who is also a beneficiary Mr. Theko Mohajane said he contracted silicosis and has been told by medical doctors that it is incurable.

"I've only been paid M17,000 and have since been waiting for the rest of my money" he said.

Meanwhile the Social Cluster Chairperson is expected to give feedback regarding payments of Basotho ex-mineworkers in Tanzania in December this year and it is expected that every beneficiary from all the ten countries which include amongst others Lesotho , Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa would be paid by 2031.