via Dead Zimbabwean miners were hiding from SA police | SW Radio Africa by Tichaona Sibanda on Wednesday, March 5, 2014
There are reports that the 22 Zimbabwean miners who died in a disused shaft in Johannesburg last week unwittingly exposed themselves to deadly gas in a bid to evade arrest by the South African police force.
It is believed the deceased were all known to each and lived in areas bordering the Roodepoort mine, the scene of the tragedy. One body was claimed by relatives last week and has since been buried while 21 will be repatriated on Friday. Among the victims was a woman, Sipho Ntimeni, who came from Kezi under Chief Malaba.
South African police were reportedly waiting for the miners to emerge from the shaft to arrest them, as they had no proper documentation to live in South Africa.
Determined to avoid detention and immediate deportation, the miners decided to buy time and sought refuge inside the mine. They were not trapped but decided to stay underground in the hope the police would go away. In the process they unknowingly exposed themselves to carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is a gas you can’t see, taste or smell it and it can kill quickly with no warning. Our correspondent Ezra ‘Tshisa’ Sibanda, who visited Roodepoort Mine in Johannesburg last week when the miners were still underground, said had the police retreated, the miners would be alive today.
‘I was visiting a friend in the area when this incident happened. The police at the scene were actually laughing and commenting that the illegal miners were too scared to walk out as they faced imminent arrest.
‘If they had retreated and allowed emergency services to come in and convinced the miners to walk out and be treated for inhaling the deadly gas, this whole tragedy wouldn’t have happened,’ said Sibanda.
He said the illegal miners who perished had run away from the economic and political troubles in Zimbabwe, and were risking their lives to enter disused mines in search of income.
‘They were trying to earn a living, though using dangerous methods. You can’t blame them for that, you have to blame the system that is forcing them to run away from home,’ Sibanda added.
Our Bulawayo correspondent Lionel Saungweme said the bodies would be repatriated to Bulawayo on Friday where a funeral service will be held on Saturday.
After the service, all the bodies will be taken to their respective towns and villages for burial. The majority of the victims will be buried in Bulawayo.
List of the victims.
From Nkayi district under Chief Madliwa
Mpilo Siziba,
Kwanele Siziba,
Ndumiso Siziba,
Melusi Siziba,
Mthandazo Ncube,
Mehluli Ncube,
Danisa Ncube,
Carrington Siwela,
Brighton Moyo,
Khethani Mbiba,
Tshepo Sibanda,
Shepherd Mnkandla
Brighton Mlambo
From Gokwe under chief Makora
Dickson Gumbi,
Life Ndlovu,
Mjombi Mpofu,
Edward Ncube
Nqobani Mlambo.
From Tsholotsho under chief Siphoso
Ndodana Mathe
Caanan Dube
One victim with surname Mathe From KweKwe under chief Nduku
COMMENTS
This is the legacy of Robert Mugabe and Zanu
This is one of the worst tragedies link with Zimbabwean suffering. As you can see how many from one family. These were people that wanted to work. They had to hide to continue to work so that they could support their families in Zimbabwe. South Africans, laugh… we will not laugh because we are Zimbabweans and we respect.
To the families of the below we morn with you…
Mpilo Siziba,
Kwanele Siziba,
Ndumiso Siziba,
Melusi Siziba,
Mthandazo Ncube,
Mehluli Ncube,
Danisa Ncube,
Carrington Siwela,
Brighton Moyo,
Khethani Mbiba,
Tshepo Sibanda,
Shepherd Mnkandla
Brighton Mlambo
Dickson Gumbi,
Life Ndlovu,
Mjombi Mpofu,
Edward Ncube
Nqobani Mlambo.
Ndodana Mathe
Caanan Dube
God bless
To the families and friends of the below, deepest and heart felt sympathies.
Mpilo Siziba,
Kwanele Siziba,
Ndumiso Siziba,
Melusi Siziba,
Mthandazo Ncube,
Mehluli Ncube,
Danisa Ncube,
Carrington Siwela,
Brighton Moyo,
Khethani Mbiba,
Tshepo Sibanda,
Shepherd Mnkandla
Brighton Mlambo
Dickson Gumbi,
Life Ndlovu,
Mjombi Mpofu,
Edward Ncube
Nqobani Mlambo.
Ndodana Mathe
Caanan Dube
You will not be forgotten in your quest to support your families.
Mpilo Siziba,
Kwanele Siziba,
Ndumiso Siziba,
Melusi Siziba,
Mthandazo Ncube,
Mehluli Ncube,
Danisa Ncube,
Carrington Siwela,
Brighton Moyo,
Khethani Mbiba,
Tshepo Sibanda,
Shepherd Mnkandla
Brighton Mlambo
Dickson Gumbi,
Life Ndlovu,
Mjombi Mpofu,
Edward Ncube
Nqobani Mlambo.
Ndodana Mathe
Caanan Dube
Deepest sympathies to their loved ones. Si bambene
I want to firstly pass my heart felt condolences to the families of those who perished in these disused mines. These suffering zimbabweans in South Africa are the same MDC Youths who were marching in support of MDC who brings in the USdollar which Mugabe and his Youths are now enjoying. Life is not fair
Not forgetting a man called Mathe From KweKwe under chief Nduku
ITS MUGABE WHO KILLS US NOT CARBONOXIDE. WE IN SA TO SCROUNGING FOR FOOD WHILE THE DEAD OLD MEN IS LUXURING HOME.
Vana Mukoma Nyika vanhu, Sir Juice Mapondera, Bob Killer pa Hwedza apo muna 1975 ndizvo here izvi zvamakafira muchirwira vanhu kuti vazofira kunyika dzisiri dzavo vachisekwa zvakadayi? Ndirwo rugare rwamaitaura kuti rwuchauya here urwu?
Interestingly no press reports in S.A. about this either, their cops are murderers and laugh about it.
Rest in peace, good men and women from Zimbabwe. May your toils and struggles not be in vain.
As people use fake names how are we sure they are all zimbabweans
Rest in peace fellow countryman
Rest in peace fellow countrymen
Rukweza mchemo wegukurahundi
Godfrey C ,you can say that again. Is this what we fought for? My deepest condolences to the families. These were most likely the bread winners. May they rest in peace.
@Rukweza because their relatives and communities are REPATRIATING their dead. That is a cheap shot and very un African in the presence of death.
Zimbabweans perish as Mugabe fiddles and stuffs his face with stolen loot. Disgusting individual, but the devil is rubbing his hands and waiting eagerly.
mbuya nehanda muripiko ndizvo here makafira ivava chete here kuti vagarike ruzhinji ruchitambura kudai kufa vachisekwa zvakaoma. Zvichaoma God IS WATCHING.MUSADARO.
My condolences to families, loved ones, brothers and sisters and parents. Politiciasn in Zimbabwe all political parties must think very well about this tragedy. We have lost ambitious people, they lost their lives not selling illlegal drugs, but they lost their lives in search of a living. God bless where ever you are going to be. Hope one day politicians in Zimbabwe and Africa will cooperate and try and do something about the African economy, employment and sufferring of innocent people. For how long are we going to suffer and politicians enjoying luxurious lives?
Rest in peace my family and thank you for your efforts to try and make a living to help your families at home in Zimbabwe. We will meet again at the grace of God.
Mpilo Siziba,
Kwanele Siziba,
Ndumiso Siziba,
Melusi Siziba,
Mthandazo Ncube,
Mehluli Ncube,
Danisa Ncube,
Carrington Siwela,
Brighton Moyo,
Khethani Mbiba,
Tshepo Sibanda,
Shepherd Mnkandla
Brighton Mlambo
Dickson Gumbi,
Life Ndlovu,
Mjombi Mpofu,
Edward Ncube
Nqobani Mlambo.
Ndodana Mathe
Caanan Dube
Shame on you African politicians, you are disgraceful people, it is inhuman to let your people down because of power, money and corruption. Shame on you!!!
Where ever you are, in the hotel, picnic, paliament, goverment office, luxurious holiday, can you please read the names of the following people, they left Zimbawe because of economic situation in search of a better life, now they are gone.
Mpilo Siziba,
Kwanele Siziba,
Ndumiso Siziba,
Melusi Siziba,
Mthandazo Ncube,
Mehluli Ncube,
Danisa Ncube,
Carrington Siwela,
Brighton Moyo,
Khethani Mbiba,
Tshepo Sibanda,
Shepherd Mnkandla
Brighton Mlambo
Dickson Gumbi,
Life Ndlovu,
Mjombi Mpofu,
Edward Ncube
Nqobani Mlambo.
Ndodana Mathe
Caanan Dube
Who is going to look after their childrens, families. Is there any compensation from the South African or Zimbabwean goverment for the deceased? look at yourselves! shame on you!!! The South African police is responsible for the death of all these innocent people.
Yes, we know that it is illegal to dig gold without licence. What of corrupt politicians? What made the South African police not to give them a chance to come out of the mining pit. Shame on you!!!
you guys are crazy , you voted mugabe in and now you blaminng south african police.