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MOSOTHO MAN FOUND DEAD IN BULEMBU MINE

By NOKUNCEDA MAGAGULA | 2024-04-29

A 23-year-old man from Lesotho tragically lost his life while illegally mining gold at the old Bulembu mine.

People involved in illegal mining are referred to as ‘zama-zamas’ in South Africa where this trade is thriving.

The deceased, identified as Kguthelang, had been residing in South Africa before coming to Eswatini for illegal mining purposes.

According to Chris*, a close friend to the deceased who requested to be anonymous for safety reasons, he was present during the incident. He stated that Kguthelang lived in Malandela, Pigg's Peak, along with two other men from Lesotho.

On the fateful day of the accident, which occurred on Friday at approximately 11pm, a group of seven men, including the deceased, gathered to venture into the mountains where they typically conducted their gold-digging activities.

Chris explained that they entered the first digging area known as shaft 1, securing themselves with ropes tied to large poles outside the hole. However, on that particular day, Kguthelang chose not to use the rope and instead opted to descend using an underground electricity cable, which they occasionally utilised to access the underground area. As Kguthelang descended, he obtained a stone containing gold and attempted to break it with his hand while still holding onto the cable. Unfortunately, he became distracted and lost his grip, resulting in a fall into a deep hole that led to shaft 3, situated approximately 2 kilometres away from shaft 1.

Chris, who was sleeping near the hole, was awakened by another Lesotho national who witnessed the tragic incident. He hurriedly made his way to shaft 3, suspecting that Kguthelang might be there. Using a rope, he descended into the hole and discovered the injured but still breathing man. “When I found him, his head was smashed, he was bleeding from his chest and his joints were disconnected,” Chris said.

Recognising the severity of Kguthelang's injuries, Chris and the other men contacted a friend who owned a car and rushed Kguthelang to Pigg's Peak Government Hospital. “The exact time of his passing remains uncertain, as he may have succumbed to his injuries en route or at the hospital,” he said.

Chris acknowledged that Kguthelang's death was not the first within the mine, as he had heard of a previous incident involving a Mozambican national. The zama-zama, admitted that the deceased entered the country illegally with the intention of finding gold to improve their lives. He stated that he could not provide an exact duration for which Kguthelang and the other Lesotho nationals had been engaged in illegal mining, as he had recently joined them in this endeavour.

Regarding the deceased's family and the final resting place for his body Chris expressed uncertainty, as the individuals who accompanied Kguthelang had fled the scene after the accident, and he was unaware of any family members.

He concluded by noting that the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), responsible for security, was unable to apprehend the zama-zamas due to their constant presence underground during routine check-ups.

Attempts to reach the general manager of the Bulembu mine were unsuccessful, as he was reportedly in South Africa. However, a security guard found within the mine confirmed that while the mine had been closed for some time, illegal activities, particularly in the old Bulembu mine, were ongoing.

Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the accident.

Linda Dlamini, a community member residing in Bulembu, where the old mine is located, acknowledged awareness of the illegal mining activities conducted by the zama-zamas. However, he explained that there was little that could be done, as they were simply trying to make a living.

He added that even the soldiers were unable to apprehend them due to their nocturnal activities. Dlamini further expressed that it was somewhat positive when foreign nationals perished while engaging in these illegal activities, as they should be conducting such endeavours in their own countries rather than Eswatini.

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