Open letter to President Ramaphosa

DEAR Mr President, Iam moved to write this open letter to you following our visit as a parliamentary caucus to the Lily Mine in Barberton yesterday.

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On the fateful day of 5 February 2016, three miners at the Lily Mine fell to their deaths in a container that was swallowed by a sinkhole.

This tragedy could and should have been averted had the mine owners heeded reports submitted to them two years prior, warning that they were pursuing reckless mining practices. Not only did their careless greed lead to the unnecessary loss of life, but it also resulted in the catastrophic loss of a thousand desperately needed jobs.

The bereaved families have been camped in the most inhumane conditions 1 000 metres from the mine, in terms of a court order, but primarily because every undertaking and promise by the mine owners, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMRE) and various spheres of government has failed to come to fruition.

This is a situation borne out of tragedy, neglect and broken promises, and the families have vowed to remain there, away from their homes, families and even employment opportunities, until the remains of their loved ones are returned.