ActionSA accuses Ramaphosa, govt of lying to Lily mine families
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government of lying to the families of the miners involved in the Lily mine tragedy.
Mashaba says the government failed to uphold the country's constitution by refusing to retrieve the container with the bodies inside.
"More disappointingly, our President Cyril Ramaphosa was the one who was invited by governments all over the world, after the adoption of the constitution, to address parliaments in the world, sharing experiences of this constitution and how South Africans are going to uphold it, respect it and respect human rights. Unfortunately, President Cyril Ramaphosa is showing us fire. He lied to the world the same way he lied to the three families".
"The government failed to provide us with evidence. What informed them? They probably just stood next to the mine and decided that the container could not be retrieved. They refused to give us evidence. Why were they protecting the owners of this mine? Something will definitely come out".
READ: Mashaba to assist Lily Mine families in retrieving bodies
Mashaba gave an update on Tuesday on the steps his party will take to ensure justice prevails for the families in the Lilly mine tragedy.
It has been seven years since three mineworkers, Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule, and Solomon Nyirenda died after a crown pillar collapsed, causing the ground to cave in at the mine, swallowing the container office and the miners who were inside at that time.
Last week, the Constitutional Court dismissed an application by Vantage Goldfields for leave to appeal a Supreme Court ruling concerning the acquisition of the Lily and Barbrook Mines.
This will ultimately result in the re-commencing of operations at the Lily Mine, which means that the families of the miners buried in the mine shaft are one step closer to retrieving their bodies and getting closure once and for all.
Mashaba assured the miners' families that justice would prevail.
"Those found guilty of this offence will be criminally prosecuted. The process of retrieving that container must go ahead. ActionSA will ensure that this happens and people are held accountable, but more importantly, for as long as I am alive, justice will happen to you and your families," said Mashaba.
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