NPA awaiting inquest ruling before retrieving Lily Mine bodies
The National Prosecuting Authority says that it will wait for the outcomes of an inquest into the Lily Mine tragedy before making a decision on the recovery of three bodies which remain trapped underground.
This was revealed in Parliament on Monday during a sitting of the justice and correctional services committee.
The NPA's deputy head Rodney de Kock said arguments will be heard in the Barberton Magistrates Court in February.
He told MPs a decision on the bodies will only be made after the magistrate has made a ruling in the inquest.
"We will ensure that the case is fully argued in February, when we return that all the parties are ready so that they'll be proper ventilation of the arguments in court. And then it's in the hands of the inquest magistrate.
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"I'm sure after February a short date will be given by the magistrate to come back with the inquest findings. At least then one will be able to make a determination of liability. And I'm sure that flowing from the issues around whether or not the bodies will be recovered. And once we receive that judgment of the court, everyone will be in a position to know how to take this forward on behalf of the families and everyone concerned and whether anyone should be held responsible for the delays that have occured in the matter initially."
In 2016, mineworkers Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule and Solomon Nyirenda were trapped when a container they were in collapsed and buried their bodies.
Until this day the families have been unable to find closure, while no one has been held accountable for the tragedy.
