Lerato Mbhiza
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he has been saddened by the death of 11 mineworkers and injuries affecting colleagues at the Impala Platinum Mine Shaft 11 in Rustenburg, North West Province on Tuesday.
President spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the President extends his condolences to the management and staff of Implats and wishes the injured workers, especially those who are in critical care, a full recovery.
Magwenya added that President Ramaphosa calls 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.
“This process is vital to protecting mineworkers in line with the industry’s Zero Harm objectives and enabling operational continuity in mines”.
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said the tragic accident was a setback in the government’s effort to move towards Zero Harm in the mining industry
Joseph Mathunjwa, the president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), the only recognised trade union at the Implats Mine, said the government did not take the deaths of mineworkers seriously.
Forty-one breadwinners have been killed by these mines. Tell me who has been charged to date? No one, so these inquiries are becoming a new normal, like load shedding, charged Mathunjwa.
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