Madam Deputy Speaker, it has been reported that approximately 20 illegal miners have been shot and possibly executed by security guards at Aurora Mine in Springs, Ekurhuleni, on Monday, 9 August 2010.
This is an issue about which South Africans must be told the truth. The fact that the mine is owned on the one hand by the nephew of the President of our country and by the grandson of Nelson Mandela makes it doubly important that the truth be told. A team of journalists from the Sowetan went underground in the mine on Wednesday and claim that they have discovered four bodies with gunshot wounds. It is alleged that 16 more people were executed underground. A full investigation must be carried out in a transparent manner so that it is clear to everyone that the police are not colluding with the alleged executioners.
Sworn statements should be taken from the security company and from those miners who have been rescued from underground at the time. They should specifically ask whether the Aurora Gold East Rand Ndlovu Shaft was used to retrieve any bodies.
The South African mining industry is increasingly acquiring a reputation of bad decisions, poor corporate governance and a terrible health and safety record. A few weeks ago our country was basking in the glory of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Now, once again, we are under intense scrutiny for all the wrong reasons. Cope demands that the truth be ascertained in this regard. [Applause.]
Thank you for keeping to the time.