The African Reporter recently reported about the concerns of the community about an open shaft that poses danger to children.
However, the situation seems to have been getting worse.
During the paper’s visit to the area last Wednesday, after an invitation from the KwaThema Customer Care Centre manager, Andries Nkabinde, it was clear that things were not getting any better.
Instead the situation was worse than before.
The area is situated in the middle of the township with two nearby schools.
Not far from the old shaft is a small pathway that children use to and from school.
Children also play in an open veld next to the open shaft with trenches as deep as four feet.
According to Nkabinde, no one knows who dug those trenches in that area.
He confirmed that different government departments visited the area last Tuesday to see what was going on.
He said none of the government departments has a clue of what is going on in the area and who is responsible for the digging of the trenches in that area.
“We suspect that, the trenches are dug illegally by illegal miners who are searching for gold,” said Nkabinde.
A man who claimed to be employed by Thula Sibone security company as a security guard in that area, Shadrack Maropeng said that he has been employed to ensure that children do not get close to the open shaft.
“A security guard is always here to ensure that children do not come close to the trenches and and open mine shaft,” he said.
When asked about the name of the company responsible for the digging of trenches, Maropeng said he does not know the company’s name as he was only instructed by his manager to guard the area.
