Impala Mine: Families blame tragic accident on carelessness

FAMILY members of the 13 mineworkers who died at the Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg said the tragic accident was a result of carelessness.

Monday evening, 27 November, a tragic accident took place in which a convergence cage carrying 86 miners to the surface collapsed.

Eleven workers were declared dead on the scene, while two more died in hospital.

On Wednesday, 6 December, families and colleagues of the 13 miners gathered to honour and remember the lives of their loved ones in a joint memorial service.

One of the family members had to be escorted off stage by medical personnel after being overwhelmed by emotions.

The families of the miners expressed pain after losing breadwinners.

The families' representative, Nolunyisa Nzuma, expressed disappointment at the mine for not ensuring the safety of employees.

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She pleaded with management to ensure that such an incident never happens again.

"We are wounded. We all had festive season plans with these people who've died. They were not just mineworkers, they were our children, our husbands, and our brothers."

She said the families have been wounded but has also asked the mine to support them during this time of grief.

Another family's representative, Leemetsekae Shasha, said they were deeply broken by the passing of their loved ones.

He said the family was hopeful that Impala would fulfil all the promises they had made that they would continue to support them.

"They are our heroe, who died while on duty trying to provide for their families."

Meanwhile, 46 other mineworkers remain in hospital, and eight are in critical condition.