Grieving families describe how their loved ones died while trying to escape gas leak scene

The Mozambican families that lost their loved ones to a toxic gas leak are also pleading for help to transport the bodies to their home country for burial.

At least 17 people, including a one-year-old, died from gas inhalation, and more than 16 were hospitalized following a leak of poisonous gas that occurred at around 18:00 on June 5 in Angelo informal settlement.

Some of the people who were trying to run away from the scene were seen dropping and
dying on the streets, while others were dying inside their shacks.

Carlos Tayimo, who lost three family members, told the Boksburg Advertiser about trying to cope with grief as he was watching the bodies of his loved ones and that of other fellow residents being removed by the forensic pathologists.

Tayimo said he was in his shack in the other section of the settlement when he received a call at about 18:00 to rush to his son’s place because people were dying after inhaling gas.

“When my wife and I arrived there, the area was filled with a strong smell similar to that of a rotten egg from the gas cylinders in the yard next door. We organised masks and as we walked towards my son’s place. We became fearful because we saw many bodies on the streets.

“We entered the yard, opened my son’s shack to check, and we found him and his wife dead. We went to my cousin’s room and he was unconscious,” said the grief-stricken Tayimo.

He and other residents said they called an ambulance and the police but they both took very long to arrive, apparently because the paramedics were scared of being attacked if they enter the area without a police escort.

“We had to organise a car to transport my cousin to hospital, but he later died.

“Four other people living in the same yard also died there. My son Samuel was 19, my daughter-in-law Rasaro Mondlane was 20 and my cousin was 48 years old.”

Tayimo said he and his family lack the means to repatriate their three loved ones back to their homeland in Nyambane, Mozambique, for the burials.

“We just hope that government will help us with the burial arrangements.”

His partner, Judith Manhiça, could not hold back her tears while talking about losing three family members in the tragedy.

According to Tayimo, the Zama Zamas started their plant in the yard next to his son’s sometime last year.

“I knew this operation was spoiling the neighbourhood, but never thought that something like this would happen.

“We don’t want these gold processing plants next to our homes anymore. We appeal to authorities to remove them.

“We also don’t have secure jobs, we only survive with contract work and selling items in the streets, yet these Zama Zamas choose to come here and disturb our peace. Look at what they have done today,” said Tayimo.

Ramaphosa expresses deep sadness after deadly gas leak

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the affected families.

Ramaphosa urged investigators to get to the bottom of what might have caused the devastation – to avoid similar disasters in future.

The president urged investigators to get to the bottom of what might have caused the devastation to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, Ekurhuleni mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana pledged the city’s support to the affected families.

“As the City of Ekurhuleni, we would like to send our condolences to all the affected families of Angelo and all the families that have lost their loved ones. I know this is a difficult time that we are in and it’s a very shocking tragedy,” said Ngodwana.

“But we hope that God will be with all the people who have suffered a loss. With the community of Angelo and the city, we promise to give all the necessary support that they need.”

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