Fathers ask for time to grief
Because of the slippery surface the boys could not get out
The community of Siyanqoba is still shocked after the drowning of three young boys in a nearby mine dam.
Ndumiso Manqoba Mgidi, Tumelo Thabang Manthe and Given Mpho Ruiters, all aged between eight and nine years, went to play at Leeuwpoort Dam on June 17 after they could not get to school because of a protest.
The dam is part of Eyethu Coal’s mining operations.
The dam is lined out with a thick black plastic as it was used in mining activities.
Because of the slippery surface the boys could not get out.
Ms Antoinette Lerukla told WITBANK NEWS that there was a group of about five to six boys that went to play at the dam on that fateful morning.
“I was at home when one of the boys came running and screaming that some of the boys had drowned. I ran to the dam where members of the community were already trying to safe the boys.” But it was too late.
Listening to her account of what happened, Messrs Abram Mgidi, John Mtimbane and Eric Mamonyane sat motionless.
These three fathers lost their sons.
“We see other children play and wish it was our sons, we hear children laugh and we know our sons are not laughing aloud while playing with their friends. There is an empty void that no words can explain,” said Mamonyane.
“We are not supposed to bury a child, that is not how God intended it to happen,” Manthe added.
Emalahleni municipal spokesman Mr Lebogang Mofokeng said the municipality is attending to the matter, “The municipality will look at a way of dealing with mines which leave areas of operation unattended after closing down their businesses.”
Mr Ross Robinson from Eyethu Coal said the matter is under investigation.
Mgidi, Mtimbane and Mamonyane asked for privacy to grief and requested that photos of the boys not to be published.
They also asked that the community respect their privacy and do not go around asking for money on their behalf.
“We were told that there are individuals that are going around asking for money to aid us. The mere fact that people are using our situation for their own gain is heartbreaking. We lost sons, let us grief …”
