South Africans are expressing growing outrage after another fatal accident at Harmony Gold Mining’s operations brought the company’s death toll to 12 workers this year alone.
The latest tragedy occurred on Sunday, October 26, 2025, when an electrician lost his life while performing routine maintenance at Harmony’s Mponeng mine near Carletonville. The company confirmed the incident, extending condolences to the victim’s family, friends, and colleagues while promising full support during this difficult time.
Harmony said it has launched a full investigation into the circumstances of the accident in collaboration with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, emphasizing that “safety remains our foremost priority.”
However, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) condemned the company’s safety record, calling the recurring fatalities “a reflection of arrogance and poor leadership.” AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa said the union “will not be intimidated or deterred in its fight for zero harm,” stressing that the latest death was “needless and avoidable.”
The union noted that this marks the 12th fatality at Harmony operations and the 38th in South Africa’s mining sector so far in 2025, reigniting calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards in one of the country’s most dangerous industries.