By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mourners and families of mineworkers of the 13 deceased mineworkers who died in a lift shaft accident at Impala Platinum gathered to remember their loved ones at Simunye grounds in Rustenburg, North West on Wednesday.
The mine’s 15 000-capacity Simunye hostel stadium in Rustenburg in North West was packed to capacity.
Among the dignitaries at the event are officials from the government, the Bafokeng Royal family, local political leadership, and the majority union Amcu’s leadership.
The accident happened on 27 November, and involved a conveyancer system that was transporting the mine workers down the shaft, with 11 workers confirmed dead on the accident scene. The death toll has since risen to 13.
On Monday, Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats) said 23 employees had been discharged from hospital and that, of the 50 who remained in hospital, eight were in critical care.
The names of the miners were released during the memorial service at Impala Rustenburg sports grounds on Wednesday.
Eight were from the Eastern Cape, and two were from North West and Gauteng, while three were from Lesotho.
The miners that succumbed to their injuries are: Siyabulela Nzume, Eric Libada, Khayalethu Bekhamane, Marumo Shasha, Mandisi Nkulwana, Lethola Qeba, Mgcineni Dlabone, Mncedisi Hukwana Morena Mohlomi, Petrus Nare, Raselebedi Ntoi, Vuyani Dangazele – and Zwelethu Nomsuka.
Impala Platinum CEO Nico Muller said that, in the wake of the tragic passing of their colleagues, it was an incredibly difficult time for the company and its employees, as they came to terms with their loss.
Muller said, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and loved ones of those who have been affected. We are committed to providing support and assistance to those who need it during this time of mourning, and we stand together in honouring their memory and providing solace to one another.
Speaking at the memorial service, the president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), Joseph Mathunjwa, said the Mine Health and Safety Act must be amended.
Mathunjwa said it was devastating that the mining companies are making trillions of rands at the expense of the workers’ lives.
“The workers who perished inside that mine shaft were earning a slave wage. The silence of the state president about the matter is too loud,” said Mathunjwa.
“One would have expected him to ask other mines to stand in solidarity with Impala mine workers, that no mine shaft is open in solidary to what happened here. But the competitors are busy working like nothing happened.”