Families replay miners’ last voice notes as Ekapa recovery efforts continue

Rescue workers at the Du Toitspan Joint Shaft Mine in Kimberley. “I’ve arrived safely at work. I love you, see you tomorrow.” These were the last words conveyed by miners to their families before they disappeared down the Du Toitspan Joint Shaft in Kimberley on February 17.

Some family members, who broke their silence toDiamond Fields Advertiserfor the first time this week, expressed their desperation as their loved ones remain unaccounted for following the devastating mud rush at the Ekapa mine. “The voice notes are being played on repeat. All that matters now is that they are found,” they said.

They pointed out that the five trapped miners were instrumental in recovering a 76-carat diamond earlier this year from the same tunnel where the mud rush occurred. “They told us that their biggest fear was dying in a mud rush. They risk their lives every day in order to provide for their families. Workers were apparently told to leave if they were not prepared to work under dangerous conditions,” family members said.