Seven years later, the families of Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyirenda are still hopeful that the trio will return home, or that they will get the chance to bury their remains.
These three were in a container that sank about 70m underground, when the Lily Mine collapsed on February 5, 2016.
The families and the community gathered for a prayer day on Sunday February 5 to mark the seventh anniversary of this tragedy.
Solomon’s aunt, Jabulile Nyirenda, said they have faith that the three of them are still alive, and that they are patiently waiting to welcome them back home. “We are doing the same thing we have been doing since they sank, which is to have hope that they will come back home soon. We still believe they were taken and are held captive by a creature that takes care of them,” Jabulile said.
She said she has heard the creature’s cry whenever she goes close to the sinkhole. “We hope the creature will release them soon, but we also believe a huge amount of money has to be sacrificed in exchange for them,” she said.
Nkambule and Mnisi’s families said they have made peace with and accepted any outcome or fate.
Nkambule’s relative, Sifiso Mavuso, said the family seeks closure, whether they are alive or not. “We just want the remains of our beloved sister and mother of four children. We need to bury her remains so that we can have peace,” Mavuso said.
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He said the delay to extract the container has caused so much hurt. “We fail to understand why the mine is taking us back and forth and not just help us to get our family members out. Some proof that it has been a long time is that Pretty’s youngest child started school this year,” Mavuso said.
Mnisi’s relative, George Ndlela, echoed Mavuso’s comments. “We are also ready for anything that will bring us closure. It has been too long fighting for the same thing. Our family members have been in that hole for too long. We keep praying to get our own closure,” Ndlela said.
Since the tragedy took place, Siyakhula Sisonkhe Corporation’s CEO, Freddy Arendse, has lent a helping hand to the devastated families.
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“I am always available to support the families with everything they need, especially financially. They lost their breadwinners and it is
unfortunate that they still need to fight for their loved ones after such a long time,” he said.
Arendse said he would continue to support the families and put the three’s children in school.
