“We’re not expecting the president to mention the issue… Even if he says a few words, that will be it. There will be no progress or action taken after that.” – Harry Mazibuko, Family Spokesperson. Image credit: SAB News
(The Post News)- Nine years have passed since the devastating Lily Mine collapse in Barberton, Mpumalanga, which trapped three employees underground. Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, and Solomon Nyirenda were inside a container used as a lamp room when the mine caved in. Despite numerous pleas and promises, their families are still waiting for their remains to be retrieved.
The families, who will commemorate the tragedy today, have expressed their frustration and disappointment with the government’s inaction. Family spokesperson Harry Mazibuko has stated that they do not expect any progress to come from the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA). “We’re not expecting the president to mention the issue… Even if he says a few words, that will be it. There will be no progress or action taken after that,” Mazibuko was speaking with the SABC News
The Lily Mine tragedy has become a symbol of the government’s failure to prioritize the lives and dignity of mineworkers and their families. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety and regulation of the mining industry in South Africa.
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba has been a vocal advocate for the families of the Lily Mine victims. He has offered to retrieve the bodies of the deceased miners at his own cost, citing the government’s inaction and the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) contempt of court.
Mashaba has also criticized the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) for awarding a mining license to Vantage Goldfields, the same company responsible for the Lily Mine tragedy. This decision has been widely condemned by the families and supporters of the victims.
The Lily Mine tragedy is a stark reminder of the human cost of mining accidents and the need for greater accountability and regulation in the industry. As the families of the victims continue to wait for justice, it is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to address their concerns and ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future.
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