OPEN SHAFT STRIKES FEAR
Residents fear for kids’ lives after boy fell in
PARENTS at Jerusalem informal settlement in Boksburg on the East Rand where a five-year-old boy fell into a mine shaft on Saturday, fear that more lives will be lost.
This comes after Richard Thole fell into the shaft at the weekend. He has not been found by late yesterday.
Peter Monyela, 46, a father of four children, said they feared for their lives too. “Our lives are in great danger. More children are going to fall into that shaft. Criminals will also use that shaft to get what they want. It is only a matter of time before thugs start throwing people into that shaft,” he said.
Monyela said the incident could have been avoided had the authorities sealed the shaft when it opened up over three weeks ago.
“We called the authorities immediately after the explosion but they did nothing. That child would still be here had they responded to our call for help,” he said.
The concrete slab covering the 140m-deep shaft caved in on January 15 after heavy rains. The shaft is less than 100m away from the sprawling Jerusalem settlement.
Swabisho Mangena, 34, a mother of two, said she feared for her children’s safety. “Now we can’t sleep at night. I now watch my youngest child’s every move. It is stressful.”
Mangena said they couldn’t move from the area because it is close to an industrial area.
“We have been here from 1997. We know that it is dangerous to live here but we can’t leave because it is closer to firms, the train station and taxis. I just pray that they at least find his [Richard’s] body.”
The rescue operation was temporarily called off at 2pm yesterday.
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Services spokesman William Ntladi said it was too dangerous to continue with the search.
“We had a massive rock fall at 10.30am and a secondary one at 12.20pm. The shaft is now closed and cameras cannot see past the rocks. If we look at the time frame, technically the chances of finding the child alive are minimum.”
He said city officials and the family would discuss a way forward.
Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina said he was engaging the Department of Defence to assist them in the search. Masina also said they were looking for an alternative place to relocate the 2 538 households that live in the area.
Mine Rescue Services’ Christo de Klerk said it was impossible to continue with the rescue mission without endangering more lives.