Silicosis court case
In October 2015, former workers on South Africa's gold mines took more than 30 companies to court. The mine workers asked the South Gauteng High Court for permission to bring a class action against the companies, on behalf of all miners who have silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) as a result of their exposure to silica dust since 1965, and of the families of all miners who have died of silicosis and TB. Here are articles relevant to this court case that GroundUp has published.
Myekelwa Mkenyane (49) from Amadiba in the Eastern Cape is sick with silicosis and an applicant in the case. He worked in mines for 25 years. He received R36,000 compensation. "I am at home now and my wife died. My neighbours and my children take care of me," he says. Photo by Thom Pierce.
Main articles
The long battle to get the mines to cough up.
Understanding the silicosis judgment
Court case, South Gauteng High Court, October 2015
Judgment delivered on 13 May 2016: Miners win case for class certification
Day one and two (12 and 13 October): Sick miners in court for landmark silicosis case
Day three (14 October): Court hears whether silicosis miners can bring class action
Day four (15 October): Silicosis: mining companies hit back in court
Day five (16 October): Unfortunately we were unable to report on day five.
Day six (19 October): Mines not liable for TB, silicosis hearing told
Day seven (20 October): Silicosis: Anglo American joins the fray
Day eight (21 October): Anglo American plays the race card
Day nine (22 October): Mines are being obstructive, say miners’ lawyers
Analysis and opinion
Silicosis: an epidemic of racism?
The scandal of South Africa’s sick miners
Sick miners: time for the mines to share the burden
The lawyers argue over racism
Lawyers in black and white: Spoor vs Boqwana
Black advocates tell court they object to 'racist sting'