Heroes help save lives by stopping deadly gas leak

Two men are hailed as heroes after their quick actions helped to prevent further potential loss of life after a deadly gas leak in Angelo informal settlement on the evening of July 5.

In an exclusive interview with the Boksburg Advertiser, the two residents recalled how they risked their lives to stop the gas leak when the fateful events of that evening quickly
spiralled into chaos.

Residents of the area are still reeling from shock over the tragic loss of lives and calling on the government to intervene in illegal mining activities in the area, to which the gas leak is linked.
At least 17 people, including a one-year-old, died from gas inhalation. More than 16 were hospitalised following a leak of poisonous gas that occurred at around 18:00 that day near Limpopo tavern in a section called Extension F.

Authorities found the gas cylinders in an illegal mining processing plant located in the middle of the community.
It’s believed that the cylinders belong to Zama Zamas (illegal miners) who use these in their mining activities.
Some of the people whose bodies were found strewn on the streets are believed to be illegal miners, who fell and died as they were trying to escape the poisonous gas.
Quick actions saved more lives
After receiving calls for help the community leaders, Samuel Malaza and Tshepi Manaka, sprang to action and rushed to the scene where the gas had already permeated the entire area.

“A group of people arrived at my place and knocked on the windows and door shouting ‘people are dying!’ As a community leader, I quickly rushed to the scene. However, when I was approaching, one of the residents warned me against entering the section without something to cover my mouth and nose to avoid inhaling the gas too. I ran back to my house to get a wet cloth,”
Malaza said. “With the wet cloth over my nose and mouth, I rushed back to the scene to try and locate the source of the gas. As I was running towards the shacks where the smell was coming from, Tshepi joined me and we noticed people running away, while others were collapsing on the narrow streets.
“Some people who were running away from their homes pointed out the yard where the cylinders were located, and we went there to find that the gate was locked. We could hear
the hissing noise of the escaping gas from outside.

“I helped Tshepi to jump over the fence, and once inside he spotted one of the cylinders and closed it. We then went to assist those who were dying on the streets.

“All of a sudden we heard someone shouting ‘There is another bottle spreading gas. Come and close it’. I went there, broke the gate to enter, looked for the bottle and we spotted two of them releasing the fumes.

“We quickly closed them and went back to try and help more people, but they were just dropping and dying on the streets left and right, while others were dying inside their shacks.
“It was very dangerous that gas. Even I felt pain in my throat and struggled to breathe. The wet towel saved my life,” said Malaza.

Manaka said he was on his way from work at about 18:00 when he received the bad news.
“I immediately called Samuel to find out what was happening, but he wasn’t yet aware of the situation. He later called me and I rushed to the scene where we managed to find and
close the leaking cylinders,” said Manaka.

“Some people were already dying or dead inside the shacks and in the streets. It was very, very bad,” said an emotional Manaka.”

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