ActionSA wants justice for victims of Lily Mine tragedy on 8-year anniversary

ActionSA

Cape Town — ActionSA commemorated eight years since the Lily Mine tragedy and leader Herman Mashaba, has called for those liable in the tragedy should face criminal charges.

The party held a prayer service outside the mines for victims Solomon Nyirenda, Pretty Nkambule and Yvonne Mnisi were engulfed in a sinkhole at the mine and as of yet, their remains have still not been retrieved to date.

In a statement, Mashaba said he has vowed to bring justice to the families.

“Ever since I visited the mine in 2020 where the victim’s family camped outside at the mine, I have vowed to bring justice to the families by ensuring that the mine shaft be reopened to retrieve the container in which the three victims were entombed, securing compensation for the families of the affected miners, and ensuring that those who are liable for the tragedy are criminally prosecuted.” Mashaba said.

He said he could not stand-by and let tragedies such as Lily Mine happen, and said the failures of the ruling party to support the victims’ families should not be ignored as these families deserve justice.

Further, Mashaba added that ActionSA remains extremely disappointed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga has failed to decide whether it will criminally prosecute those liable for the Lily Mine tragedy of February 2016, despite promising to do so by the end of January 2024.

“It is the failure of our prosecuting authority to prosecute those guilty of a crime that contributes to the rise of lawlessness in South Africa. When I visited Lily Mine at the end of October 2023, I received Power of Attorney from the families of Nyirenda, Nkambule and Mnisi to pursue civil and criminal litigation against the parties found liable.”  he said.

“If the NPA decides not to institute charges, ActionSA will approach the NPA to get Nolle Prosequi to possibly launch our own private prosecution as part of our commitment to achieve accountability for those found liable.” he added.

ActionSA is resolute in helping the affected families, which is why we have repeatedly reached out to the NPA and Business Rescue Practitioner for progress updates on criminal prosecutions, and the implementation of the business rescue plan which would reopen the mine shaft to retrieve the bodies.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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