Mawela: Community mum on illegal mining until deadly gas leak

Authorities worked with concerned residents to root out illicit mining operations nestled between shack dwellings that they allege were the source of the deadly nitric acid leakage.

Community members claimed agents of the illicit mining trade, who process the gold-bearing material from illegal miners, called ‘phendukas’, had been operating the clandestine plant for nearly a year before the tragedy.

Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela said the owner of the dwelling where the gas cylinder was tampered with found died a year ago.

“This place was rented out to certain individuals whom they say are from Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, they couldn’t give me the names of those individuals, but we’ll work with them to identify those who worked here.”

READ: Illegal mining cause of Boksburg gas leak: Ngodwana

Residents said they lived in constant fear of the miners, who often carry guns and intimidate them.

Judite Manhice lost her son and daughter-in-law, who lived opposite the plant's compound, where seven people died.

“They say the person who leased this place out doesn’t live here, he lives in Soweto. These ones that work here brought this thing [cylinder] and opened it yesterday, and it just killed people,” she said with tears streaming down her face. 

GALLERY: AUTHORITIES DISMANTLE ILLEGAL MINING OPERATION, EQUIPMENT

Mawela’s warned so-called ‘shack farmers’, who own multiple dwellings that they rent out, against harbouring criminals and undocumented migrants.

“They [the phendukas] have been operating here, and nobody has said anything until now when we have this tragedy. We do have a lot of places like this, in many informal settlements around here, like Jerusalem in the Florida area, and there are other areas in the West Rand.

“This why we discourage communities from harbouring especially undocumented persons in their space. They must also monitor the activities happening in their place so they can report it to us.”

Authorities demolished at least two illegal mining operations and removed some equipment.

According to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, 11 people were rushed to hospital, but one was declared dead on arrival.

Two women, three men, and four children – including a two-month-old infant – were admitted to the Tambo Memorial Hospital for observation.

One man was reported to have regained consciousness after he was admitted in critical condition.

According to Mawela, a police officer was also affected by the dangerous fumes but has since been discharged.

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