The National Union of mineworkers (NUM) will commemorate the 20th Vaal Reefs mine disaster that occurred on the 10th of May 1995 when 104  mineworkers perished. The commemoration of the Vaal Reefs mine disaster will take place on the 23rd May 2015 at Vaal Reefs Mine in Orkney, North West Province

The Vaal Reefs Disaster Trust was established to look after the needs of the dependants of the late workers.

The commemoration will focus on remembering the lives lost and the current state of affairs on health and safety within the mining industry. The Vaal Reefs mine disaster should continue to be a reminder that the industry at some point did not put workers safety first.

"We should remember the lives of those who died so that there should never be a recurrence of such disasters in future," said Erick Gcilitshana, NUM Health and Safety Secretary.

The build up for the commemoration event will start with a cleaning up of the graves tomorrow (9th May 2015)  by NUM shop stewards. Anglo Gold Ashanti (AGA) management will also join the NUM in cleaning up the graves. The media is invited to attend and report.

The cleaning up of the graves tomorrow and the Vaal Reefs Mine Disaster commemoration on the 23rd of May 2015 are supported by Anglo Gold Ashanti and the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC)

The event on the 23rd of May 2015 will be addressed by representatives from the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), MHSC, AGA, NUM and also messages of support by various alliance partners.

It is expected that over 3000 workers and community members will be in attendance.

Again, the media is invited to attend and report.

Erick Gcilitshana: NUM Health and Safety Secretary:082 809 3105
Livhuwani Mammburu: Acting NUM National Spokesperson: 083 809 3257

ADRESS:

7 Rissik Street.

Cnr Frederick,

Johannesburg  2001

Tel: 011 377 2111

Web: www.num.org.za<http://www.num.org.za>

Twitter: @Num Media    

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167

"When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic."   Dresden James