ActionSA calls for Parliament inquiry into Lily Mine tragedy

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ActionSA says it has written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and Deputy Speaker Dr Annelie Lotriet to request that Parliament investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the 2016 Lily Mine Tragedy.

Three miners – Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyirenda – have died.

The party says it has also informed the Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka as well as the Human Rights Commission that ActionSA has engaged the National Assembly Speaker to escalate the matter.

“Despite the Mbombela Magistrate’s Court already ruling in October last year that mine owners, DMRE and Minister Mantashe should be held criminally accountable for the tragedy as it could’ve been prevented, the NPA has taken no action to criminally charge anyone. Meanwhile, the Business Rescue Practitioners are in contravention of at least three court orders, while Minister Mantashe extended a mining licence to the very same company believed to be responsible for the tragedy,” explains ActionSA.

ActionSA says that in October last year, the families gave it power of attorney to escalate the matter on their behalf, including launching a private prosecution if the NPA decides not to prosecute.