Mbabane – The Swaziland National Ex-Mine Workers Association (SNEMA) has made a fresh attempt for a parliamentary resolution on matters affecting former mine workers, including compensation claims for silicosis, by lobbying members of parliament (MPs) in the House of Assembly.
A documented list of issues seen by Swazi24 shows SNEMA President Velaphi Ndzimandze listed as a contact person. The association says a copy of the document has reached the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jabulani Mabuza, and one of the lobbied MPs is expected to move a motion for a debate. SNEMA is calling for the establishment of a select committee to investigate their concerns, among other issues.
The petition follows previous attempts, in which the group claimed it wrote to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in August 2024 requesting help but received no response. Last year, over 5000 ex-mineworkers who suffered lung damages from mine dust exposure were invited by the Tshiamiso Trust to take part in the processing for compensation through the Benefit Medical Examination (BMD) procedure. The former mineworkers have since sought for the address of at least six issues while they also made five points as proposed action to legislators. 
List of issues
- SNEMA urges parliament to look into the “non-implementation of a 2001 recommendation paper.” Justice Titus Mlangeni, the current High Court judge is said to have been engaged to investigate the issues in 2001, before being confirmed in his current position. When he reported his recommendations, SNEMA alleges, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has stalled implementation for more than two decades. “The ministry has failed and/or neglected to implement,” it is said.
- To investigate the non-implementation of the directives of the Ministry of Health House of Assembly Portfolio Committee, “directing that ex-miners form councillors for their representation in international forums (in South Africa or elsewhere) and in the Ministry of Labour, where issues concerning their welfare are deliberated and considered”;
- Inquire into the alleged omission of SNEMA members by the TB Caucus Committee “during joint deliberations with the Ministry of Health on TB issues affecting ex-miners, especially members of this association.”
- Investigate alleged exploitation of Voluntary Deferred Pay (VDP) monies “which were aimed at benefiting ex-miners with chronic illnesses, as a result of exposure to the harsh working conditions in the mines”.
- Inquire about compensation funds for ex-miners exposed to tuberculosis and silicosis, as well as the Tshiamiso Trust Fund for payments to ex-miners and their relatives in the event of death.
- Inquire into the exclusion of widows and orphans, the vulnerable dependents of the deceased miners.
Call to action
The petition then makes five proposals to the House of Assembly, urging it to:
- “Urgently appoint a select committee to investigate the non-implementation of recommendations contained in the report made by Titus Mlangeni during the year 2001.”
- The committee to investigate the non-implementation of orders from the Ministry of Health House of Assembly Portfolio Committee.
- The committee to examine the suspected misuse of VDP funding for the benefit of former miners with chronic illnesses.
- The committee investigate distribution of funds due to ex-miners who were affected by TB and silicosis as well as the Tshiamiso Trust Fund matter.
- The committee is to investigate the alleged exclusion of widows and orphans, the vulnerable dependents of the late ex-miners, as well as any relevant issue.
The petition follows last year’s attempt, in which the group claimed it wrote to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) requesting help but received no response. SNEMA Coordinator Sipho Siyaya stated that when they did not hear back from the PAC, they were advised to bring their concerns directly to the House rather than to its committee.
