On 03 May 2024, the families of the Lily Mine victims were visited by officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), led by Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines Mr. Mthokozisi Zondi. They informed the families that Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe had decided to issue mining rights to Vantage Goldfield, a decision that brought a glimmer of hope for the families and former miners’ long-standing fight for justice and resolution.
However, this hope was short-lived!
On 10 May 2024, the families and former miners received invitations to a stakeholder meeting at an undisclosed location. The affected families requested the presence of their legal representative, a reasonable and justifiable request given the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Lily Mine Tragedy. However, their request was flatly rejected, leaving them excluded from crucial discussions and decisions.
This exclusion not only disrespected the families who have suffered immensely but also undermined the principles of transparency and fairness.
The situation took a dramatic turn on 15 May 2024, when the Minister arrived at the Thusong Centre in Barberton amidst much fanfare. Hundreds of people were bused in and catered for, creating a spectacle that was supposed to culminate in a grand announcement. The Minister assured those present that the Lily Mine issue would be resolved and that employees would receive their due payments by the end of July 2024.
That announcement although met with cautious optimism, seemed like a significant step toward addressing the grievances and hardships faced by the families and former employees of Lily Mine.
Today, is the 31st, the last day of July 2024, yet it seems we will be confronted with the harsh reality that nothing has been done.
The promises made with such conviction have not materialized, leaving the affected families and former miners in a state of continued uncertainty and despair. The failure to act on these promises is not just a bureaucratic oversight — it is a profound betrayal of the trust placed in the authorities by the Lily Mine families and the broader community.
We demand accountability! We demand action! The time for empty promises and grandstanding is over. The families of the Lily Mine victims and the former employees deserve more than just words; they deserve justice, compensation, and closure.
We call upon the DMRE and the Minister to honour their commitments without further delay. The pain and suffering endured by the families should not be compounded by broken promises and neglect.
Let this statement serve as a reminder to those in charge that the voices of the Lily Mine families will not be silenced. Advocation for the Lily Mine Families, ActionSA will continue to fight for justice until the promises made to them are fulfilled and their dignity is restored.
Broken Promises and Neglect: ActionSA Demands Immediate Action and Accountability for the Lily Mine Families
On 03 May 2024, the families of the Lily Mine victims were visited by officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), led by Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines Mr. Mthokozisi Zondi. They informed the families that Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe had decided to issue mining rights to Vantage Goldfield, a decision that brought a glimmer of hope for the families and former miners’ long-standing fight for justice and resolution.
However, this hope was short-lived!
On 10 May 2024, the families and former miners received invitations to a stakeholder meeting at an undisclosed location. The affected families requested the presence of their legal representative, a reasonable and justifiable request given the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Lily Mine Tragedy. However, their request was flatly rejected, leaving them excluded from crucial discussions and decisions.
This exclusion not only disrespected the families who have suffered immensely but also undermined the principles of transparency and fairness.
The situation took a dramatic turn on 15 May 2024, when the Minister arrived at the Thusong Centre in Barberton amidst much fanfare. Hundreds of people were bused in and catered for, creating a spectacle that was supposed to culminate in a grand announcement. The Minister assured those present that the Lily Mine issue would be resolved and that employees would receive their due payments by the end of July 2024.
That announcement although met with cautious optimism, seemed like a significant step toward addressing the grievances and hardships faced by the families and former employees of Lily Mine.
Today, is the 31st, the last day of July 2024, yet it seems we will be confronted with the harsh reality that nothing has been done.
The promises made with such conviction have not materialized, leaving the affected families and former miners in a state of continued uncertainty and despair. The failure to act on these promises is not just a bureaucratic oversight — it is a profound betrayal of the trust placed in the authorities by the Lily Mine families and the broader community.
We demand accountability! We demand action! The time for empty promises and grandstanding is over. The families of the Lily Mine victims and the former employees deserve more than just words; they deserve justice, compensation, and closure.
We call upon the DMRE and the Minister to honour their commitments without further delay. The pain and suffering endured by the families should not be compounded by broken promises and neglect.
Let this statement serve as a reminder to those in charge that the voices of the Lily Mine families will not be silenced. Advocation for the Lily Mine Families, ActionSA will continue to fight for justice until the promises made to them are fulfilled and their dignity is restored.