ActionSA Welcomes SAHRC’s Acceptance of Lily Mine Human Rights Complaint
Herman Mashaba
ActionSA President
ActionSA welcomes the decision by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to accept for investigation the complaint lodged by the families of Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda and Yvonne Mnisi in relation to the Lily Mine tragedy.
The SAHRC’s confirmation that the complaint has been assessed and accepted for investigation is an important and overdue step toward restoring dignity, accountability and justice for families who have endured nearly a decade of pain, uncertainty and neglect. The acceptance of this complaint affirms that the prolonged failure by the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Mineral Resources to act decisively raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
For ten years, the families of the Lily Mine victims have been denied closure, denied the return of their loved ones’ remains, and denied meaningful communication from state institutions entrusted with upholding justice and accountability. This sustained inaction has compounded their suffering and undermined public confidence in the criminal justice system.
ActionSA notes the SAHRC’s mandate to investigate alleged violations of human dignity and just administrative action and trusts that this process will be conducted thoroughly, independently and without undue delay. The acceptance of the complaint signals recognition that human dignity does not end with death, and that families have a fundamental right to truth, accountability and closure.
ActionSA will continue to stand with the families throughout this process and will closely monitor the progress of the investigation. We reiterate that justice delayed is justice denied, and that meaningful accountability is essential not only for the families affected by the Lily Mine tragedy, but for the integrity of South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
The acceptance of this complaint must mark the beginning of concrete action, not another chapter of delay.
ActionSA Welcomes SAHRC’s Acceptance of Lily Mine Human Rights Complaint
ActionSA welcomes the decision by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to accept for investigation the complaint lodged by the families of Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda and Yvonne Mnisi in relation to the Lily Mine tragedy.
The SAHRC’s confirmation that the complaint has been assessed and accepted for investigation is an important and overdue step toward restoring dignity, accountability and justice for families who have endured nearly a decade of pain, uncertainty and neglect. The acceptance of this complaint affirms that the prolonged failure by the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Mineral Resources to act decisively raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
For ten years, the families of the Lily Mine victims have been denied closure, denied the return of their loved ones’ remains, and denied meaningful communication from state institutions entrusted with upholding justice and accountability. This sustained inaction has compounded their suffering and undermined public confidence in the criminal justice system.
ActionSA notes the SAHRC’s mandate to investigate alleged violations of human dignity and just administrative action and trusts that this process will be conducted thoroughly, independently and without undue delay. The acceptance of the complaint signals recognition that human dignity does not end with death, and that families have a fundamental right to truth, accountability and closure.
ActionSA will continue to stand with the families throughout this process and will closely monitor the progress of the investigation. We reiterate that justice delayed is justice denied, and that meaningful accountability is essential not only for the families affected by the Lily Mine tragedy, but for the integrity of South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
The acceptance of this complaint must mark the beginning of concrete action, not another chapter of delay.