Zimbabwean police have released the names of 20 Zimbabweans who died during a mine disaster in South Africa, in January this year.
This follows the completion of the verification process by the country’s embassy in Pretoria. A total of 87 people of various nationalities are reported to have died in the North West Mine disaster, mostly artisan miners.
Scores of illegal miners were recently trapped underground in the area when most of them opted to stay underground fearing arrest.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the death of the 20 Zimbabweans who include Bothwell Mlambo, Bobo, Sithole, Gladman Mlambo, Blessing Mlambo, Kenisa Majoni, Benard Mamombe, Trust Makitisa, Moses Chidumba, Thomas Chipanza, Jack Mlambo, Pindirai Dumbarimwe, Tendai Mubaiba, Mebishengs Mutubuki, Tinashe Shangure, Tafadzwa Ndlovu, Justice Mwapinda and one Shepherd.
Authorities said some of bodies are yet to be claimed by their next of kin, while some victims’ full particulars are yet to be obtained but concrete information indicates that they are Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe’s envoy to Pretoria, Ambassador David Hamadziripi said recently that victims would be identified through DNA testing of relatives.
Ambassador Hamadziripi encouraged Zimbabweans who have reason to believe that their relatives might be part of the rescued group of individuals in Stilfontein to urgently contact the consulate in Johannesburg.
