Accused in Lily Mine camp arson granted bail

Kaizer Gwebu was granted bail in the Lows Creek Magistrate’s Court where he stands accused of arson. It is alleged that it was Gwebu who burned down Lily Mine camp on April 8.

The camp outside Lily Mine was set up in 2019 by the families of the three miners who were trapped when the mine collapsed in February of 2016.

The families hoped that by camping outside the place where their loved ones’ bodies still remain, it would put pressure on government and the companies involved in Lily Mine to retrieve the bodies.

READ:Suspected illegal miner wounded at Lily Mine

However, the informal settlement was burned down in April by assailants who the inhabitants said were known to them.

Gwebu is the only suspect to be arrested.

“This is despite reassurances from the South African Police Services that Gwebu’s known accomplices would also be arrested. It remains unclear whether the case continues to be under investigation,” read a statement by ActionSA, which have taken on the case on behalf of the Lily Mine families.

Gwebu’s case has been postponed to June 24.