By Mapaballo Borotho
- A decade after the Lily Mine container collapse, the remains of three mine workers are still trapped underground.
- Their families continue to demand answers and closure as ActionSA pressures the National Prosecuting Authority to act on the matter.
- The NPA says it will respond to the concerns raised by the party and affected families.
It has been a decade since the collapse of a container at Lily Mine, which claimed the lives of Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda and Yvonne Mnisi.
Ten years later, the three mine employees have still not been buried by their loved ones, as their remains remain trapped underground.
Their families continue to live without closure.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, vowed to familiarise itself with the case following a picket by ActionSA outside the NPA’s head office.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the authority would respond in due course.
ActionSA is accusing the NPA of failing to comply with a court order issued by the Mbombela Magistrate’s Court in October 2023 regarding the Lily Mine tragedy.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba handed over a memorandum of demands to the prosecuting authority on Wednesday morning.
“Accountability has remained painfully elusive. ActionSA believes that the NPA’s failure to honour a lawful court order not only prolongs the suffering of the families but also undermines the rule of law and public confidence in South Africa’s criminal justice system,” said ActionSA.
ActionSA is picketing outside the NPA’s offices in Pretoria, demanding justice for the families of the three Lily Mine workers whose remains have been trapped underground for 10 years.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) July 15, 2026
The party says it’s time for accountability and closure for the families of Yvonne Mnisi,… pic.twitter.com/jySRVcnxm7
Family spokesperson Harry Mazibuko says their only wish is to finally lay their loved ones to rest.
“Our position remains the same, our plea is that the container needs to be retrieved so that we can bury our loved one in dignity,” he added.
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba says he will spend the rest of his life fighting for justice for the families of the three Lily Mine workers.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) July 15, 2026
Speaking outside the NPA’s offices in Pretoria, Mashaba vowed to keep pushing for accountability until the families receive the… pic.twitter.com/rwBFGfcOW6
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