TMG Digital reports that the High Court in Johannesburg has certified a class action against gold mining companies in SA by mineworkers suffering from silicosis and tuberculosis (TB).
The landmark judgment paves the way for tens of thousands of mineworkers and former mineworkers to sue the mining companies for damages. "After examining legal prescripts‚ we reached a conclusion that there are sufficient issues to certify a class action where there would be two classes: the silicosis class; and the TB class‚" the judge, Phineas Mojapelo‚ said in court on Friday morning. The 69 class representatives in the case were acting on behalf of thousands of former mineworkers‚ and are seeking compensation for having contracted silicosis and pulmonary TB at the mines. The respondents were 30 mining companies that represent the entire gold mining industry in SA.
- Read this report in full at BDLive
- Read too, Court allows silicosis class action suit; gold firms yet to decide on appeal, at Mining Weekly
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page