MONDAY, 5 February, marks exactly eight years since the tragic collapse at the Lily Mine in Mpumalanga.
The collapse claimed the lives of Pretty Nkambule (22), Solomon Nyirenda (37) and Yvonne Mnisi (30), who were last seen inside a lamp room before it sunk underground when the mine collapsed eight years ago.
The families of the three workers have been camping metres away from the mine, calling for the government to intervene in the retrieval of the container.
On Monday, 5 February the families as well as the community led the commemorations through prayer inside the mine.
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In October 2023, the Nelspruit Magistrates Court ruled that the disaster was primarily caused by extensive illegal mining activities that were taking place around the mine at the time when it collapsed.
The inquest ruling followed the ConCourt judgment that the business rescue practitioners need to fully implement the retrieval of the container.
On Monday, the prayer was held closer to where the three miners were last seen. This was the first time in five years, their families had the chance to be near the place that swallowed their loved ones.
In 2019, the court told the families to stay 1 000 metres away from the main entrance, so they have been camping for 1 742 days just a few meters outside the mine, hoping for a miracle to happen.
Eunice Nyirenda, Solomon's sister, told Daily Sun getting closer to where the incident happened brought back all the memories from the time it happened.
"Looking at those rocks, I wish I could ask them questions and they give me answers of where my brother is, but unfortunately it won't be that way. It felt so bad to be closer to that place. I feel emotional because it brought a lot of memories from the way my brother used to wear his overalls and go to that site preparing the safety of all the workers going in and out of the mine, but it was not the case with him, "she said.
She said his absence is felt in the family as he used to make sure everyone is happy. Eunice said they are still not happy with how government has handled the matter.
Nomcebo Mnisi, Yvonne's sister, added that going on the mine premises gave them hope. She said although they know that they won't be burying their remains soon, it felt like they were closer to them.
"Going there today felt like I was going to see her again. I felt very closer to her, it was more like I could see the container and her but it's still not the case," she said.
Sfiso Mavuso, Pretty Nkambule's brother, said they still believe that they will one day find closure. He said they believe that God will make a way for their loved ones.
"We believe that everything will be fine as time goes on," he said.
Action SA president, Herman Mashaba, who has been supporting the families with legal fees, was also part of the commemoration. He said he hopes they won't meet again in 2025 for the ninth anniversary as it is not necessary. He said government can spend millions on helping people of the world but cannot help its own.
"When we voted for a democratic government in 1994, we thought our pain was behind us, not realising that we are going to deal with the devil, but one thing for sure the devil will not defeat God. I hope that next year by this time we will be celebrating their lives by unveiling tombstones," he said.
