The General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Solly Phetoe, will meet with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and Vantage Goldfields in Barberton, Mpumalanga on Friday 22 November, to establish progress made in the reopening of Lily Mine and the retrieval of the remains of the miners who lost their lives on 5 February 2016.
For the past eight years, the bodies of Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda and Yvonne Mnisi have been submerged, bound in a container that was pulled down by a portion of a crown pillar that collapsed and plunged into a sinkhole. The tragedy, which over the years has been found to have been caused by illegal mining, has wreaked emotional and financial havoc for the families and former miners.
The delays in retrieving the bodies and resuming operations at the mine have been occasioned by lengthy litigations, business rescue hurdles, fueling more despair. COSATU remains encouraged by its fruitful engagements with the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, the former owners of the mine Vantage Goldfields, hand in hand with our affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers(NUM) that the ultimate goal of restoring the dignity of Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda and Yvonne Mnisi will be achieved, accompanied by the reinstatement of those whose livelihood was halted when the mine closed.
The families of the deceased, workers and the community have waited for this badly needed relief and healing for far too long. Resolutions from the engagement between all the stakeholders must be solidified and implemented. The Federation is determined in its position, that Vantage Goldfields maintain its commitment to fully pay former employees, reopen, expand the mine, and institute a concrete plan to recover the workers. The families of the miners cannot continue to be made to endure any longer.
As it has over the years, COSATU will continue to work with the communities, the families and the ex-employees, giving full support until the goal is realised.
Issued by COSATU

For more information please contact:
Solly Phetoe(COSATU General Secretary)
Mobile: 082 304 4055
Or
Zanele Sabela(COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za