"Numsa calls for the fullest possible, independent inquiry into this tragedy to establish the cause of the collapse of the ground under the container, and general health and safety conditions at the mine, and to identify any evidence of negligence," said general secretary, Irvin Jim.
The union said it was concerned that search and rescue efforts for the three missing miners had been halted at the weekend due to safety concerns.
The container in which Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyerende and Yvonne Mnisi were working in is buried a few metres below the ground after it fell into a sinkhole.
After days of trying to reach the mineworkers, a large concrete structure at the entrance of the mine tunnel and soil from a hill next to the sinkhole broke off and fell into the same hole that the container is stuck in.
The union sent messages of hope to the families of the three trapped miners and wished them a speedy recovery from their injuries.
Source News 24
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