ActionSA has reminded the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of its responsibility to act on the findings of the October 2023 inquest into the deaths of three Lily Mine workers — Solomon Nyirenda, Yvonne Mnisi, and Pretty Kambule.
The inquest, led by Senior Magistrate A. van der Merwe, found that the incident was preventable and that there was negligence on the part of Lily Mine management under the Mine Health and Safety Act. It also criticized the SAPS and the Department of Mineral Resources for failing to act against illegal mining activities.
ActionSA has written to NPA head Advocate Shamila Batohi, asking what progress has been made toward prosecution. The party raised three key questions: what steps have been taken, what is the status of the case, and what timeline can the public expect?
Nearly nine years after the tragedy, the families of the victims are still waiting for justice. ActionSA says it will continue to fight for accountability and ensure that those responsible are brought before the law.