ActionSA members gathered outside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head office in Pretoria on 15 July 2026 to demand urgent accountability for the Lily Mine tragedy. The protest follows over a decade of failed attempts by the families of Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda, and Yvonne Mnisi to secure justice for the three workers trapped underground since the 5 February 2016 mine collapse.
Legal Pressure And Ongoing Inaction
ActionSA officials allege that the NPA is in direct violation of an October 2023 Mbombela Magistrate’s Court inquest ruling, which explicitly recommended that criminal prosecutions be considered against mine management. In a formal memorandum delivered during the picket, the party stated that the state’s continued inaction undermines the rule of law and the public’s confidence in the criminal justice system.
Accountability has remained painfully elusive. ActionSA believes that the NPA’s failure to honour a lawful court order not only prolongs the suffering of the families but also undermines the rule of law and public confidence in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Community Impact And Oversight
The families of the victims recently escalated their search for closure by lodging a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission in February 2026. Addressing supporters during the demonstration, ActionSA President Herman Mashaba criticised the prolonged silence from state institutions responsible for investigating the collapse.
There’s been cover ups ever since. We engaged the National Prosecuting Authority, and they kept on giving us reasons of still waiting for what – God knows.
The NPA confirmed on 15 July 2026 that it intends to review the case files to address the concerns raised by the families and the party. Further developments are expected as the oversight bodies assess whether legal requirements regarding the inquest findings have been met.