By Own Correspondent

THE delayed Wenela Compensation Program has spilled into Parliament with legislators demanding government’s urgent intervention to assist the victims.

The Wenela compensation issue involves the payments for occupational lung diseases, like silicosis and tuberculosis, suffered by former migrant workers (including those from Zimbabwe) who worked in South African mines recruited by the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela). 

Subsequently, the Tshiamiso Trust, a trust established after a class-action lawsuit, manages the compensation process, which involves medical examinations by accredited providers and subsequent payments to eligible former workers or their dependents. 

However, the process faces challenges such as delays, a lack of supporting documents, and administrative hurdles in meeting the Trust's stringent requirements.  

Speaking in parliament recently, Hon Pupurai Togarepi begged to understand why it was taking so long for the victims to receive compensation despite earlier assurances made on the matter.

“We have some people who were given promises that there was an agreement between our Ministry and the South African Ministry and most of the Wenela veterans are now old, some are dying without getting their compensation. I have been to places where a similar programme was done and some were given that compensation. So, what is the challenge with us so that the Wenela veterans get their due?” he quizzed.

In response, Labour and Public Service Minister, Hon Edgar Moyo said progress had reached an advanced stage in resolving the matter.

“It is really an important question which we are currently addressing. Now, there was a need at some point to create a framework through an MOU between Zimbabwe and South Africa through what they refer to as Tshiamiso Trust, which is dealing with the Wenela issue,” he said.

Moyo underscored that the matter was discussed and it went through CCL and the advice was that this Memorandum of Agreement should then be done at the Ministry level and not go through all these legal processes.

“Currently, this method of agreement has been developed, awaiting signing and then it is going to be executed. What I can say is that we are within possibly a resolution to that matter through this memorandum of agreement. It is going to be done with the South African counterpart so that facilitation for the payment, compensation of those affected during Wenela is then done within that given framework. I thank you,” he said.

Honorable Togarepi however demanded answers on a timeline to await resolution which the relevant Minister turned down.  

“It may be misleading if I went on to give a timeline now because within that framework and the signing of the agreement, I think the finer details of the implementation matrix are going to be developed.

“However, we are already in contact with South African counterparts and that should be resolved as quickly as possible. We understand the urgency of the resolution of that matter. This is why I was saying this is timely because it is happening. This question is coming at a time when those processes are currently underway,” added Minister Moyo.