Three Lesotho citizens are reportedly among 11 miners killed in a Rustenburg mine on Monday afternoon. Families of the deceased miners at Impala Platinum mine in Rustenburg have begun the process of identifying the bodies of their loved ones.
It is reported that a cage carrying 86 mineworkers suffered a mechanical fault resulting in it plunging to the bottom of the shaft a one kilometer shaft. At least 10 miners are still in critical condition from the incident.
It’s a sombre mood at the Majakaneng funeral parlour in Brits, in the North West where the bodies of the eleven deceased mineworkers are being kept.
The majority of people coming to view the bodies have been women understood to be the wives and partners of the deceased miners.
The women are draped in blankets and scarves as a sign of mourning their loved ones.
Families of the deceased have politely declined to speak to members of the media at this stage, citing that they are still grieving.
The Impala Platinum mine said it would be supporting the families with the burial costs.
Read more on the subject:
Four Mozambicans among 75 seriously injured in Impala Platinum mine accident in South Africa
Find more news on Africa News 24
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the death of 11 mineworkers at Impala Platinum Mine Shaft 11, in Rustenburg in the North West.
Several other miners were injured on Monday afternoon when they were being hoisted up to surface level when the conveyance they were in, suddenly started descending rapidly.
“The President offers his deep condolences to the families of the deceased mineworkers.
“The President extends his thoughts to the management and staff of Implats and wishes the injured workers, especially those who are in critical care, a full recovery,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.
President Ramaphosa has called on all stakeholders to assist the Chief Inspector of Mines in the investigation that will be undertaken in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act.
According to the Presidency, this process is vital to protecting mineworkers in line with the industry’s Zero Harm objectives and enabling operational continuity in mines.
Meanwhile, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has assured that his department will investigate the accident. Mantashe visited the mine on Tuesday following the accident. APO
