A R400-million (US$55-million) trust fund designed to compensate those suffering from asbestos-related diseases has been established in South Africa, with the lion’s share of funding coming from South African-based companies Gencor, Griqualand Exploration and Finance (GEFCO) and Msauli Asbes Beperk.
The Abestos Relief Trust will exist for 30 years, during which time its five independent trustees will be bound by the “trust deed,” which provides a framework for administering the trust.
In the meantime, trustees will use existing data to determine the value of claims expected be made against the trust by former employees of the three funding companies. This process is expected to take six months and no payments will be made during that time unless qualifying claimants suffer from mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer brought on by exposure to asbestos.
To qualify for compensation, claimants must undergo a medical evaluation and be found to suffer from a disability associated with an asbestos-related disease.
Most of the asbestos in South Africa was mined in the Northern Cape, the Northern Province and Mpumalanga Province. Asbestos production in that country peaked at 380,000 tonnes in 1977 making it the world’s third-largest asbestos supplier. Today, most of the country’s asbestos deposits have been depleted.
In May 2002, London-based law firm Thompsons agreed to represent those seeking compensation from asbestos-related illnesses stemming from exposure to asbestos from mines associated with Gencor, Gefco and Msauli. Over 4,000 claims were registered on behalf of former workers as well as those who lived in the vicinity of the mines and claim to have become ill from environmental pollution.
Hi,
I just want to find out about what is happening about my father’s compensation?
My mother always receives letters but the is nothing clear or pleasing.
We are wondering what is holding back the payment.
His name is MOLATLHEGI EPSY MOSETLHI