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This morning, ActionSA received notification that the Lily Mine Inquest originally scheduled for next Thursday 9 September 2021 has been postponed to 01-12 November 2021. 

We are most disappointed by this development. Once again, the families of the 3 miners trapped in the lamp room container that caved underground since February 2016 have been denied access to justice. 

The prolonged finalisation of the Lily Mine Inquest negatively impacts the affected families psychosocially, emotionally as well as economically. 

While our government continues to be lax in expediting proceedings in this matter, the families continue to camp outside the mine in an unsustainable tent structure when they can be home with their grandchildren and extended family members. 

This postponement is yet another attempt by the powers that be to protect those who are implicated in the tragic ending of the lives of Pretty Nkambule (22); Yvonne Mnisi (30); and Solomon Nyirenda (37). How is it that the lamp room container that sits just over 60m underground has not been retrieved 5 years after the cave in?

It defies logic that the South African government, who were quick to deploy our expertise to Chile during a similar mine disaster in August of 2010, where 33 miners were also trapped at approximately 700m underground, cannot act now. 

Almost immediately, the Chilean government focused all its resources to ensuring that the trapped miners were located, well looked after while underground, and commissioned an intensive rescue mission. Our government has simply washed its hands of Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, Solomon Nyirenda, and their families.

ActionSA will continue our support for the Lily Mine families regardless of the time it takes for the uncaring South African government to respond to their plight. 

It is most disheartening that this government can continually prioritise the lives of illegal immigrants, unscrupulous business interests and corrupt politicians over the ordinary, hard-working, law-abiding, and peace-loving people of our country.

Issued by ActionSA