ActionSA has has promised to retrieve the remains of three miners who were buried under underground in 2016 when a container collapsed into a sinkhole.Gallo Images
(The Post News)- ActionSA has vowed to retrieve the remains of the three miners who were tragically buried underground during the 2016 Lily Mine disaster in Mpumalanga. The party, led by Herman Mashaba, has positioned itself as the beacon of hope for families who have long sought closure amid years of government inaction and broken promises.
The promise comes at a time when frustrations over the lack of accountability and delays in the recovery mission have reached a boiling point. For eight years, the families of Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, and Solomon Nyirenda have endured heartbreak, waiting for their loved ones’ remains to be recovered from the container that collapsed into a sinkhole. ActionSA’s commitment reignites a flicker of hope that justice and resolution may finally be within reach.
The Lily Mine disaster remains one of South Africa’s most harrowing mining tragedies. On February 5, 2016, a part of the mine caved in, swallowing a container that served as a makeshift office with the three victims inside. Efforts to recover the container were called off due to safety concerns and financial constraints, leaving families grappling with an unbearable sense of loss.
Over the years, there have been countless protests, petitions, and court battles, but the remains of the miners have yet to be retrieved. Despite several promises from government officials and mine management, no concrete action has been taken. This inaction has deepened the wounds of those left behind and underscored the lack of accountability in South Africa’s mining sector.
Addressing the media, Mashaba emphasized that ActionSA’s intervention goes beyond political posturing. “This is about human dignity,” he stated. Mashaba stated that they cannot claim to be a just society when families have been left without closure for nearly a decade, and that his party is working with engineers and legal experts to design a viable recovery strategy that prioritizes both safety and expediency.
The party’s commitment to this cause signals a broader critique of systemic failures in government oversight and corporate responsibility. By stepping into this long-standing issue, ActionSA aims to restore not only the remains of the victims but also the faith of South Africans in political leadership that delivers on its promises.
Renewed Hope Amid Lingering Skepticism
While ActionSA’s pledge has been welcomed by many, some remain cautious, questioning whether the party can succeed where others have failed. However, for the grieving families, this promise represents a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak narrative. “We just want to lay them to rest properly,” said one family member, expressing gratitude for the renewed attention to their plight.
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