A family is reeling from shock after the body of Ms Gugulethu Portia Selepe (34) was finally found at the coal stock yard of Tutuka Power Station.
The mother of Thandolethu, which means ‘our love’, was retrieved from under a heap of coal in the late afternoon of Wednesday, 17 July.
This employee of an Eskom-contractor, Mixcorp, was missing since her evening shift on Sunday, 14 July and information about her disappearance was posted on a Standerton Facebook-group, giving details about her appearance.
“Ms Selepe was controlling trucks at the site,” Capt Fanie Nhlabathi, communications officer of the Standerton Police, said.
According to Capt Nhlabathi, a Tutuka-employee notified the police on Monday, 15 July and a missing person report was filed.
Police began an investigation in all earnest and according to an anonymous caller to the Standerton Advertiser, sniffer dogs from the unit in Limpopo were deployed as well.
Brig Leonard Hlathi, provincial spokesman of the police, was unaware of the incident on 17 July, but confirmed that police use the Limpopo unit in these cases.
According to information, ambulances were also on standby at the site which is about two and a half kilometres from the power station.
Capt Nhlabathi also said the family has been notified about the death.
“A post mortem will be conducted to establish the cause of death.”
The Standerton Advertiser contacted the general manager of Tutuka, Mr Jabulane Mabimbela, on 20 July and their human resources department and Mr Mabimbela explained the corporate situation.
Not only is the Department of Labour involved with an investigation, but Eskom and the police as well.
“We are communicating closely with the family in this difficult period,” Mr Mabimbela said.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
He emphasised that transparency in this sensitive situation is of the utmost importance.
The ordeal of waiting for news took its toll on the family and when the newspaper spoke to Gugulethu’s mother and sister on Friday, 19 July her mother, Ms Shabangu Dlamini, gave the phone to her younger daughter, Ms Thendela Twala.
“My mother is trying to be strong for all of us,” Ms Twala said.
“My sister was glamorous and loved beautiful things.”
The photo posted on Facebook testifies to this single mother’s dress sense as well.
Eskom offered their deepest sympathies with their loss.
Her daughter, who is 10 going on 11, will now stay with her grandmother.
The funeral will take place at the Stanwest Hall on Saturday, 27 July, but the time of the service has not yet been confirmed.
