Central SA
Parliamentary committee calls for full investigation into Kimberley mine disaster─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:53 Thu, 12 Mar 2026
Members of the parliament’s portfolio committee on mineral and petroleum resources have called for a full investigation into the incident at Ekapa Mine in Kimberley.
The committee paid an oversight visit to the Northern Cape mine on Tuesday (10/3), where efforts remain underway to recover four workers still trapped underground after a mudslide last month. Kimberley detectives are meanwhile investigating an inquest after an adult male’s body was recovered.
During the briefing, Ekapa Minerals mine manager Howard Marsden detailed the scale of the rescue operation underway at the Dutoitspan Joint Shaft. He explained the incident occurred when a sudden water flood and mud rush flooded the working area at the 890m level.
The company reported as of Tuesday, recovery teams have pumped more than 37,500m³ of water from the shaft, completed 233m of life-support drilling, and removed nearly 1,000 scoops of mud and debris from the affected area.
“Our primary concern … is the retrieval of workers still trapped underground,” said committee chairperson Mikateko Mahlaule. “We urge the mine management to keep their efforts going, ensuring that all safety standards are met while working tirelessly to bring the remaining workers to safety.”
They’re also concerned about the financial impact on the workers and their families due to the liquidation proceedings. “We implore the relevant authorities to ensure that all workers’ rights are protected during this process, and that families receive the support they need.”
The committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure necessary measures are implemented to protect the lives of mineworkers, he vowed.
The company said the safety of recovery teams and the retrieval of the missing miners remain their primary operational priorities, even as the company faces total financial collapse.
Ekapa Minerals will be under provisional liquidation until Tuesday (17/3), when legal proceedings continue in the high court in Kimberley.
Following an application for liquidation, the diamond mine closed summarily on Wednesday, 25 February. The decision was not taken lightly but was considered in the best interests of all stakeholders, the company said, citing operational, financial, and safety reasons.
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