Vusumuzi Dube
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has released the names of 20 Zimbabweans who died during a mine disaster in South Africa, following the completion of the verification process by the country’s embassy in that country.
In the aftermath of the disaster around January, Zimbabwe’s embassy sent a team to work with the host Government to verify if they are any of its nationals who could have been rescued or died at Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein.
A total of 87 people of various nationalities are said to have died in the North West mine disaster recently, mostly artisan miners.
Scores of illegal miners were recently trapped underground in the area when most of them opted to stay underground, fearing arrest when they came out of the mine shaft after authorities launched an operation dubbed “Vala Umgodi” with the view of minimising illegal mining activities.
In a statement on Tuesday, national police spokesperson,Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the death of Bothwell Mlambo, Bobo Sithole, Gladman Mlambo, Blessing Mlambo, Shepherd (surname unknown), Kenisa Majoni, Bernard Mamombe, Trust Makitisa, Jairosi Pasa, Thomas Chipanza, Jack Mlambo Maeza, Edzai Mlambo Maeza, Mike Mlambo, Pindirai Dumbarimwe, Tendai Mubaiba, Mebishengs Mutubuki, Tinashe Shangure, Tafadzwa Ndlovu and Justice Mwapinda.
He said the police had received a request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade from South Africa to assist in the location and identification of the relatives of the Zimbabweans who died during the operation (Val Umugodi).
“The bodies are yet to be claimed by the next of kin. Some victims’ full particulars are yet to be obtained, but concrete information indicates these are Zimbabweans,” said Comm Nyathi.
“The cooperation of relatives will assist in the identification of the victims and repatriation of the bodies for burial in Zimbabwe.
“We appeal to the relatives and friends of the victims to contact National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712800197 or report to any nearest police station”.
The country’s envoy to Pretoria, Ambassador David Hamadziripi said recently that victims would be identified through Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing of relatives.
Ambassador Hamdziripi encouraged Zimbabweans who have reason to believe that their relatives might be part of the rescued group of individuals in Stilfontein to urgently contact the Consulate in Johannesburg.
He said they may use the following contact details, Hotline/ Emergency Line: +27610373400 or visit the consulate in person at its Johannesburg offices, 20 Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue, in Bruma.
Online Reporter