Mammoth 200m fall
A father of five’s attempts to keep his household afloat cost him his life, when he fell about 200m to his death in a mine shaft.
Mzulisi Koti’s (53) body was lifted to the surface from a hole in a vacant area of land, between Golden Drive and New Modder Road, on Monday, at around 3.30pm.
According to the deceased’s nephew, Sivuyile Koti, his uncle went missing on Tuesday (August 9).
The family started searching for him on the day of his disappearance.
They opened a missing person’s case at the Crystal Park Police Station soon after he disappeared.
Sivuyile said the family found Mzulisi’s 1400 bakkie on Friday, about 25m from where he fell into the earth.
On Saturday, they approached the Benoni SAPS for assistance.
The Mines Rescue Services started the recovery on Monday and successfully raised the body to the surface at around 3.30pm.
There were around 15 loved ones gathered about 50m from the site of the accident.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said it is believed the deceased was on top of a mound (around 5m in height) pulling steel from the sand, when he slipped and fell down the hole.
Sivuyile said his uncle started visiting the area near New Modder to collect scrap metal, which he would then sell, as he did not have full time employment.
Mzulisi had started gathering steel at the beginning of this year, and would sometimes pocket R150 from a day’s work.
“He was there to get something to eat to feed the family,” Sivuyile explained, calling his uncle a “good guy” who regularly attended church.
When asked how the family is coping with the tragedy, Sivuyile said: “It is life. It is very hard, and if we found help sooner, maybe we would be saying something different now.”
The family is grateful the body was recovered.
An inquest docket has been opened.
Also read:
Remembering one of Actonville’s pioneers
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