Community unites in times of need

LOW’S CREEK – The body of an illegal miner was recovered from underground at Doranto Gold Mine last Friday. He went missing in the mine in February.

Messrs Alfred Nkosi, Vincent Siboza, Vusumuzi Dhlamini, Siyabonga Mazibuko and Wilson Bhila took it upon themselves to go into the mine and recover the body.
Dhlamini said, “I heard the news during the first week of September. We then went to report to (Induna) Passport Malambe that there was a man who has been missing and his body has been seen by someone inside the mine. He then went to inform Chief Tikhontele Dlamini about the matter. The chief then instructed that the matter must be reported to the police. We then worked with the police trying to track down his relatives, but we had no luck.”
He further explained that a friend of the illegal miner gave him a bag containing clothes and documents.

“Everyone thought the man was visiting his brothers in Gauteng as he normally did. We were not aware that he was long dead. Among his documents, we found his older brother’s contact details. The brother arrived last Thursday so we could go with him on the rescue mission.
“That place is very scary but we had to do all we could to recover the body. This man lived with us in this community. We could not ignore his disappearance. That is why we took a risk to go down and get his body out,” concluded Dhlamini.
The ANC chairperson for Ward 30B, Mr Elphus Vilakazi said, “I am happy to be part of a community that is as united as this one. When community members heard the news, some volunteered to go down and recover the body. As much as we are against illegal mining, we are happy that we stood together and recovered the body.
“We are still worried about the bodies that are still trapped at Lily Gold Mine. What we did is a practical example that the community can play a role in recovering bodies at Lily Mine. It’s been months since the incident took place and the families need closure about their loved ones.”

A few items that were found next to the remains where a hammer, butcher knife, chisel, elastic and his bag of clothes.
Brother of the deceased, Mr Custodio Mkhavele said he was very happy about all the efforts of the community members.
“I last spoke to my brother in February. I was with him throughout the festive season. His body has already decomposed, it is only bones that are left. We identified him by his dreadlocks. I am very happy that we found his remains. At least we’ll find closure about our brother. We are going to bury his body back home in Mozambique,” said Mkhavele.