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Scam alert: Beware of fraudulent ex-miners compensation fund claims
Government issued a warning about a scam targeting former mine workers and their families, falsely promising assistance with compensation fund applications.
Government has pointed out that a digital poster inviting former mine workers to seek assistance with their application status and compensation fund applications, is a scam. Photo for illustration purposes/ iStock
Government issued a warning about a new scam targeting former mine workers doing the rounds.
This after a fraudulent digital poster was circulated on social media platforms, featuring the face of Prophet Moporo.
Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale has urged the public to ignore anyone claiming to represent government in this matter.
Scam alert: Mine workers fund
The poster invites former mine workers to seek assistance with their application status and compensation fund applications.
The event is scheduled for 1 May 2023 at Maluti TVET College, but Mohale said authorities have disassociated themselves from this event.
The event has been flagged as a scam, run by con artists attempting to exploit the struggles of former mine workers and their dependents.
Mohale said the people targetted by the con artists are like individuals who may have contracted TB, Silicosis, and other occupational lung diseases while working in mines between March 1965 and December 2019.
It could also include mine workers who were not paid their pension or provident funds.
Ex-Mineworkers Compensation Programme
It’s worth noting that government appointed a team – consisting of the deputy ministers of health, and labour among others – to coordinate the Ex-Mineworkers Compensation Programme.
This programme aims to track, trace and reimburse former mineworkers and their families who qualify for the compensation funds.
The team will work in collaboration with stakeholders such as the Southern African Miners Association (SAMA), Minerals Council South Africa, Tshiamiso Trust, and mining companies.
Don’t fall victim to this scam
No individuals or organisations, including Prophet Moporo, have been authorised to represent the government or the compensation programme.
Moreover, don’t pay anyone for assistance in lodging a claim since the process is free of charge. Here’s what you need to know.
For more information about the Ex-Miners Compensation Fund Programme, the public can contact the Call Centre on 080 1000 240/ 010 500 6186 or send a Please Call Me to 072 557 8077.
