Families of Lily Mine workers lodge complaint with HRC

The families of the three mine workers who were trapped underground when the Lily Mine collapsed in 2016 have lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

They are accusing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy of failing to take proper action following the outcome of the inquiry conducted by the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court a few years ago.

They were accompanied by ActionSA members led by the party’s president, Herman Mashaba.

Reading the complaint, the families’ spokesperson Harry Mazibuko expressed concerns that the remains of Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, and Solomon Nyirenda have not been retrieved since the incident occurred 10 years ago.

“A formal inquiry conducted in 2017 confirmed that the tragedy was forcible and preventable, arising from negligence and systemic failure in mine safety. Importantly, the inquiry found that there was a reasonable basis upon which criminal accountability could be considered against the relevant parties and recommended that NPA consider prosecution action. We have seen no decisive action that will advance accountability or justice.”

Lily Mine | Years after mine tragedy, remains still not retrieved: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpwy_YFwkbo