The South Gauteng High Court has admitted the Treatment Action Campaign and Sonke Gender Justice as friends of the court (amici curiae) in the planned class action lawsuit against South African gold mines. The organisations welcomed Friday's ruling by judges Phineas Mojapelo‚ Bashier Vally and Leonie Windell‚ which enables them to join in the case of Bongani Nkala and others v Harmony Gold and others‚ which will be heard in October.The case involves hundreds of thousands of mineworkers who contracted silicosis and tuberculosis. Friday’s ruling means the TAC and Sonke can introduce evidence specifically that of Sonke’s executive director‚ Dean Peacock‚ which highlights the effect mining-related occupational disability has on the women who care for mineworkers with silicosis and TB.The two organisations‚ represented by Section27‚ will present evidence of how these mining companies have “fuelled epidemics‚ impoverished communities and entrenched gender inequalities over the past five decades”‚ the TAC and Sonke said in a statement.Eighteen of the 32 gold mining companies opposed the TAC and Sonke’s application.The high court will hear arguments regarding the certification of the class when the case resumes on October 12.Nkala along with 68 other former mineworkers‚ all of whom contracted silicosis as a result of their exposure to crystalline silica dust while employed at the mines‚ seek the court’s permission to certify a class action against 32 gold mining companies.The mineworkers seek to undertake the litigation as representatives of all current and former gold mineworkers who contracted silicosis‚ and dependants of deceased mineworkers who died after contracting the disease. The number of people who might benefit from the lawsuit is estimated at 200 000...