NUM Demands Accountability Following Tragic Double Fatality at Sibanye-Stillwater Kloof No. 8 Shaft

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is deeply saddened and disturbed by the tragic loss of two mineworkers on Sunday, 3 May 2026, at Sibanye Stillwater’s Kloof Number 8 Shaft operations. This devastating incident again highlights the urgent need for heightened safety protocols and corporate accountability within the mining sector.

The accident occurred at approximately 17:30 during preparations for a shaft examination by a subcontracted team. NUM notes with serious concern that this activity took place outside of the normally scheduled window for such examinations. The two workers reportedly fell into a shaft estimated to be 2,000 metres deep.

NUM extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the deceased during this incredibly painful time.

Critical Safety Concerns and Systemic Failures

NUM maintains that the mine must take full responsibility for the operational failures that led to this tragedy. The union identifies several alarming factors contributing to the current safety crisis:

• Lapse in Supervision: An apparent lack of rigorous oversight during critical, high-risk operational activities.

• Risks of Outsourcing: The continued outsourcing of core mining responsibilities to subcontractors, which often fragments safety accountability.

• Labour Brokering Issues: Poor safety oversight and deteriorating working conditions frequently associated with subcontracting arrangements.

• Production Pressure: The undue pressure placed on workers to perform dangerous duties under unsafe conditions, often for lower wages.

Call to Action

NUM has consistently warned that an excessive reliance on subcontractors undermines safety standards and exposes workers to unnecessary risks. In light of this tragedy, the union demands the following:

1. Departmental Investigation: We call on the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure those responsible are held legally accountable.
2. Comprehensive Safety Audit: NUM demands that all operations at the affected shaft be halted and subjected to a comprehensive safety audit before work is permitted to resume.

The safety and lives of mineworkers must always take precedence over production and profit.

Media Contacts

For interviews and further information, please contact:

Masibulele Naki, NUM National Health and Safety Secretary, 073 3337745 / 064 502 1769

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/10086002340216