Missing miners’ loved ones face daily struggle

In four days it will be exactly a year since the three miners who disappeared were last seen at Lily Mine.The families still grieve and hope that one day something will be done to exhume the remains of their loved ones.

On February 5 Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule and Solomon Nyerende were trapped underground when a lamp-room container they had been working in fell into a sinkhole created by a collapsed crown pillar.

The search for them was suspended when the mine said it needed R200 million.

Mineral resources minister, Mosebenzi Zwane, said the families of the three trapped miners would each receive R200 000 and a further R50 000 to each of the 75 who were rescued.This has not happened.

Themba Mnisi, Yvonne’s father, said he wished people would stop talking about what happened and start doing something about it.

“I speak as a father for all three missing people. So many times people have come and we have shared our grief with them, but nothing has changed. I still have hope that those people could still be alive because no one knows what really happened on that day, except God. To me they are still alive until proven otherwise,” Mnisi said.

His only wish is that the container and the people inside should be found.

“I know one day the truth of what really happened on that day will come out. I also believe that the honest truth on whether the mine has money or not will also come out.

“I am not saying they have it, but if they do not it will be revealed and if they do, it will also be revealed. For now as the family there is nothing we can do except to accept that the mine does not have money. Yet we are still hopeful.”

When Barberton Times contacted Christopher Mazibuko, Nkambule’s husband, he begged for anyone who could aid his four children.

“The mine has not done much to help us since my wife passed on. We are still waiting for them to assist us.”

He is among the miners who are feeling the sting of the suspension of operations at Vantage Goldfields’ Barbrook Mine.

“I am struggling to make ends meet and my children are now living with their aunt in Nkomazi. I need to send them money for food and school uniforms, but I do not have any. I am struggling to put money together for electricity, I had to borrow R30 and those are just few of the challenges we are facing as a family.”

According to Mazibuko, the situation is so bad that the kids have even asked him if all the suffering is due to their mother being gone.

“They feel deserted and as a father I am trying but struggling. I have to depend on loan sharks for survival and the worst part is when I finally get the money I have to pay more than what they lent me. I received a phone call a few days ago from my wife’s former employers. They wanted to know what kind and size of uniforms the children need.

“I wish they had called me sooner since the academic year has already started. Although if they are willing to help us I will accept the offer. We need all the help we can get.”

A remembrance service will be held at Lily Mine on February 5 at 11:00.All families were informed and they will attend.

Business-rescue practitioner for Lily Mine, Rob Devereux, said the mine has been in communication with the families and they informed them why they cannot reopen Lily.

“Before we even planned the service we engaged with them and they know all the plans. The pastor and choir are from the families’ side.”