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Lily Mine in Barbeton Mpumalanga where three mine workers lost their lives when the container office they were in
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba has questioned government’s reasons for not retrieving the container office that plunged into a collapsed mine shaft with three Lily Mine workers inside years ago.
Mashaba says there’s no scientific evidence that the container cannot be retrieved.
The party’s top leadership, including members of parliament, visited the camp where the three families have been camping for six years.
Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule and Solomon Nyerende were killed when a container office collapsed with them inside. Nine years later, their remains are yet to be retrieved.
Themba Mnisi, Yvone Mnisi’s father, says, “Because of our government and it’s evil spirit, there have been companies coming wanting to retrieve our children, but they have blocked everything because they want us stay here and die here.”
ActionSA stands with Lily Mine families as they seek justice:
Action SA is hopeful the end is near.
Mashaba says the party is working with mining experts in efforts to retrieve the container.
“We are involved with a mining expert who can assist us in putting together the spec for the mine rescue companies to retrieve that container. Already three weeks ago, we received a report, the first report says that container can be retrieved, but the only way to retrieve it is by opening a new shaft.”
Harry Mazibuko, the families’ and community representative, says, “This is the only hope because our government is nowhere to be found. Only Herman Mashaba has been with us and trying to find how we are going, finding the closure we anticipate so hope is revived.”
The party says it will hold government to account.
ActionSA’s Athol Trollip, the party’s parliamentary leader, they will continue to put pressure on the government.
“We are not going to support the Department of Energy budget until the remains of these three have been removed. We mentioned their names repetitively, Solomon, Pretty and Yvonne. They are people. We came here today and I can’t believe the situation these people live under. I have decided to write to the president. I’m noting to write him a public letter. I am going to ask him what he is going to do about this,” says Trollip.
The families continue to camp near the mine.
