The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is not going to be part of the Lily Mine disaster commemoration on February 5 this year.

We believe as the NUM that there is nothing to commemorate because three mineworkers are still trapped underground since February 5 last year. Lily Gold Mine suspended operations last year  after Solomon Nyerende,  Yvonne Mnisi and Pretty Nkambule got trapped in a container that plunged into a massive hole.

"We have not lost hope that the miners should be rescued from underground.  So what are we commemorating? Are we commemorating that those mineworkers are still trapped in the belly of the earth? The people who are organising this kind event are unreasonable and they do not care. Shame unto them.  We are not going to participate in this event. We will make sure that those workers are rescued whether they are alive or dead. We believe that god is great. For now, we cannot speak about any commemoration and we are not going to be part of it," said Joseph Montisetse, NUM Deputy President.

The NUM is disturbed and shocked that the families of the rescued and trapped miners have not been paid the money that was promised to them.

The statement was made by the Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane last year that the workers who were rescued and the families of the trapped miners would be compensated.

"It was the minister's decision with the company and AMCU. We have been waiting to see if those payments will happen. The minister should be held responsible for lying to the people because he created expectations. We are calling for the minister to fulfil his promise, Montisetse said.

The NUM will fight tooth and nail to make sure that those trapped workers are rescued dead or alive so that their families can find closure.

Issued by NUM