Police name Operation Vala Umgodi victims

Police are assisting Government in attempts to identify and locate the deceased’s relative

Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter

POLICE have released the names of 20 Zimbabweans who perished in a mine in South Africa during the Operation Vala Umgodi blitzkrieg recently.

Operation Vala Umgodi is the South African government’s response to preventing and combating illegal mining activities as well as related offences such as murder, unlawful possession of explosives and possession of counterfeit goods that was launched in December 2023 in the neighbouring country.

In a statement today, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police are assisting Government in attempts to identify and locate the deceased’s relatives.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has received a request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade from authorities in South Africa to assist in the location and identification of relatives of Zimbabweans who sadly perished in a mine during operation Vala Umgodi recently,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

The names of the deceased are: Bothwell Mlambo, Bobo Sithole (next of kin, Maggie Dziva), Gladman Mlambo, Blessing Mlambo, Shepherd (surname unknown), Kenisa Majoni (next of kin, Shadhi Maji), Benard Mamombe, Trust Makitisa (next of kin, Meshack Ziyaduma and Lazarus Ziyaduma), Jairosi Pasa (next of kin, Simon Maronga, Enes Mahachi, Kenas Pasi), Moses Chiduma, Thomas Chipanza, Jack Mlambo Maeza (next of kin, Joseph Mlambo), Edzai Mlambo Maeza, Make Mlambo, (next of kin, Kenas Mlambo), Pindirai Dumbarimwe (next of kin, Kenas Mlambo), Tendai Mubaiba, Mebishengs Mutubuki, Tinashe Shangure, Tafadzwa Ndlovu and Justice Mwapinda.

Thee bodies are yet to be claimed by the next of kin.

Commissioner Nyathi said the deceased’s full particulars are yet to be obtained but indications are that they are Zimbabweans.

“The cooperation of relatives will assist in the identification of the deceased and repatriation of their bodies for burial in Zimbabwe,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

He said the deceased’s next of kin can contact the police national complaints desk on +263 0242-703631 or WhatsApp on +263 71 280 0197 or report at any nearest police station.