The South African Communist Party (SACP) conveys heartfelt condolences to families of three mineworkers who died at the Impala Platinum mine in Rustenburg, North West province, following a mudslide which trapped several mineworkers on Sunday. Two of the seven mineworkers were rescued with injuries, and a further two managed to escape. The SACP wishes them speedy recovery.

The SACP also sends its condolences to the family of the worker who died on Saturday during underground drilling operations.

The SACP calls for urgent action from law enforcers, including the prosecution authority, to urgently investigate and institute prosecution in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996, should the mining bosses be found to have been negligent.

The recent injuries and fatalities in the mining industry mark a worsening record, compared to the year 2020. The Minerals Council South Africa reported 55 fatalities in the mining industry by 1 November 2021, compared to 43 during the same period in 2020 – climbing to 60 by the end of year. Historically, mine deaths have often been characterised by the mining bosses prioritising profits over human lives.

The SACP is calling for an approach that puts people before profits. This and other common interests of the workers should be principles around which workers should unite. The SACP calls for unity of workers in the mining industry in the fight for improved working conditions, including health and safety standards. Worker solidarity, across union or federation affiliation, is crucial for the defence of workers’ rights at this point.