21 February 2025

MEDIA RELEASE

SUMMARY: The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is gravely concerned about the continuous loss of mineworkers’ lives at Harmony Gold operations and is demanding a technical audit of compliance with health and safety regulations at Harmony’s operations. Noting that this is the sixth (6th) killing at Harmony Gold operations in 2025, the Union condemns the company’s negligence and insists on immediate government intervention to hold mining executives accountable. 

Yet another preventable mining tragedy has happened at Harmony Gold’s Mponeng Mine on the West Rand. At approximately 9:14 on 20 February 2025, four employees were engaged in vamping activities at 123/63 E2 Gully when a seismic event measuring 2,8 ML resulted in a fall of ground. Two employees sustained minor injuries, while one worker suffered spinal injuries and had to be airlifted to Milpark Hospital. Tragically, another worker, Mr Fundile Mdungelwa, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. 

“Our deepest and sincere condolences go out to the families and loved ones of these workers”, said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa. “We are not even in the third month of the year and already Harmony has killed six breadwinners”, he indicated. 

This catastrophe is just the latest in a series of deadly failures at Harmony Gold operations. The company’s blood-soaked profit margin continues to grow at the cost of workers’ lives. Since the beginning of 2024, numerous workers have perished under appalling conditions: 

• On 4 January 2024, Mr Santos Enersto Uenzane died at Harmony Mponeng after being exposed to excessive heat while assessing conditions. 
• On 1 May 2024, Mr Thabiso Gladwin Makunye, a development team leader, lost his life when a rail switch detached at Harmony Mponeng. 
• On 2 May 2024, Mr Sekano Jonas Moeketsi, a rock drill operator at Harmony Doornkop, was crushed in a fall of ground. 
• On 21 May 2024, Mr Kaya Enerst Nkala, a miner’s assistant at Harmony Phakisa, was killed when an explosion occurred during charging up. 
• On 28 November 2024, Mr Amos Mojalefa Segage, a rock drill operator at Harmony Moab Khotsong, died when a fall of ground buried him. 
• On 4 February 2025, Mr Maloka, Mr Leteketa, and Mr Taeli—all preparing the face for drilling at Harmony Joel—succumbed to a fall of ground that was supposedly deemed safe. 
• Also on 4 February 2025, Mr Nene and Mr Gumbi were killed in an unexplained blast while drilling at Harmony Doornkop. 

May their souls rest in eternal peace. 

The South African mining industry has recorded eight (8) fatalities year-to-date, with six (6) occurring at Harmony Gold operations. This shocking trend exposes Harmony’s blatant disregard for human life. Despite reporting R8,2 billion in profits for the past financial year, the company has utterly failed to invest adequately in safety measures that could prevent these deaths. 

“AMCU has consistently campaigned for amendments to the Mine Health and Safety Act to ensure that mining executives are held criminally accountable for killing mineworkers”, said Mathunjwa. “Year after year, we see corporate executives amassing massive bonuses while workers die due to avoidable accidents. This cannot continue”, he added. 

“The silence of the Minister [of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe] on these killings is deafening! Yet, when he speaks of zama-zamas, he does so with conviction, demanding police intervention and labelling their actions as criminal”, he said.. “Why then, does he not apply the same standard to mining executives who kill workers through negligence and greed? Is their crime not as grave? Or does corporate profit shield them from accountability while the poor and desperate are condemned”, he asked. The time for silence is over! If zama-zamas are criminals, then so too are these reckless mining bosses, and they must face justice”, Mathunjwa declared. 

AMCU demands an immediate, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding these fatalities, along with a broader technical audit of health and safety compliance across all Harmony Gold operations. The Union calls on the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to take urgent action to ensure mining companies are held accountable for their negligence. 

“We refuse to allow mining bosses to continue sacrificing workers’ lives for profit. AMCU will mobilise mineworkers and escalate its campaign for mine safety reform. Every mineworker has a right to return home safely at the end of their shift. We will not stop until justice is served, and mining companies are forced to put workers’ lives above their profit margins”, Mathunjwa concluded. 

*ENDS*

662 words excluding summary, heading and other text 

For more information or media interviews, contact AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.