WeeklySA_AdminTRAGEDY: The drowning of two young boys has renewed demands for mining companies and authorities to secure dangerous, easily accessible bodies of water around Nyakallong…
By Thabang Thembani
Two families in Nyakallong in the Free State, are mourning the deaths of two young boys who drowned in a mine dam near Harmony Gold’s Target 2 Rock Dump in Allanridge.
Thabo Diloko (9) and Lethabo Abrahams (8) died after they and two other boys went to the area to swim on August 29.
Diloko’s body was recovered on the same day. Family members told Health-e News that Abrahams’ body was recovered only two days later, after they opened a missing-person case with the local police. The families believe the deaths could have been prevented had the area been properly fenced to stop children from accessing the water.
We expected him to be educated, to work and
build a family of his own. But that can no longer happen because the
mining dam has taken him away from us forever…
Harmony Gold confirmed that the drownings occurred near its Target 2 Rock Dump. However, the company did not answer Health-e News’ questions about whether it owns or controls the land and dam, or what fencing and other physical barriers were in place at the time of the tragedy.
The South African Police Service has opened an inquest into the deaths. Lethabo’s grandmother, Monki Abrahams, said she was heartbroken by the death of a child she remembered as lively, energetic and always excited about food.
“The last time I saw and spoke to Lethabo, I had just returned from town. The moment he saw me entering the gate, he rushed straight to my plastic bags to check whether I had brought him something nice to eat,” she said.
She had brought him a pear.
“I gave him the pear I bought in town. After all the meals and snacks I had served him with love, I did not know that pear would be the last thing he received from me.” Thabo’s family had imagined a very different future for the nine-year-old.
“We don’t know what the future held for Thabo, but as his family and elders, we expected big things from him,” said family member Ntate Nkonka.
“We expected him to be educated, to work, build a family of his own and continue the family lineage. But that can no longer happen because the mining dam has taken him away from us forever.”
Musawenkosi Dyantyi, chairperson of the community-based organisation Mkhonto Wo Mnotho — Spear of the Economy — said the deaths raised serious questions about the rehabilitation of old mining areas and the protection of surrounding communities.
“We are questioning the government and the mining company about how the old mining order was allowed to proceed without proper engagement with communities, leaving the site unrehabilitated and unprotected against such environmental fatalities,” he said. Nyakallong residents told Health-e News that a warning sign was erected at the site only after the boys drowned.
Dyantyi, who visited the area following the tragedy, said warning signs were inadequate if people could still enter the site freely.
“At the very least, when mining operations are completed, the area must be barricaded and fenced so that it is not easily accessible,” he said. “If you simply put up warning signs while the site remains easily accessible, children will still enter and try to swim.” Dyantyi said Mkhonto Wo Mnotho had met the Abrahams family and was prepared to bring in its legal partners should the family decide to pursue legal action.
The Pule Maile Foundation has also offered support and called on the broader community to stand behind the bereaved families.
Earlier warnings
This is not the first time Nyakallong residents have raised concerns about access to dangerous dams associated with mining activities in the area.
A 2023 investigation by community monitors supported by the Bench Marks Foundation documented longstanding concerns about Voëlpan, a different dam in Nyakallong. The report said people had previously been found dead in the dam and that residents had repeatedly called for it to be fenced.
“The community has been demanding to no avail that the dam should at least be fenced,” the report said. It also recorded complaints about mine water entering the Voëlpan dam and directed several demands at Harmony Gold, including calls for the company to address water from its mining operations and rock dump.
Health-e News reported on the problems at Voëlpan last year, including the danger the open water posed to children living nearby. Residents said parents had to watch children carefully because some played too close to the water.
Voëlpan is not the same site where Thabo and Lethabo drowned. However, the earlier complaints show that concerns about public access to dangerous water associated with mining activities in Nyakallong had been raised before the latest deaths.
Community demands accountability
Ward 19 committee member Mawethu Makrothi said councillor Paseka Ramatisa and members of the ward committee visited the bereaved families after the drownings.
They were concerned that Harmony management had not met the families immediately after the tragedy. “We made a commitment that we would summon Harmony management to speak for itself and pay its respects to both bereaved families,” Makrothi said.
He added that the ward office would monitor any commitments made between the company and the families. Both families confirmed that they met Harmony management on September 3. They agreed to accept assistance with funeral preparations, while other matters would be discussed after the funerals.
Harmony questions unanswered
Health-e News sent Harmony Gold a list of questions, including whether it owns, manages or bears responsibility for the land and dam where the children were found.
The company was also asked what fencing or physical barriers were in place when the boys drowned, whether the warning signs now visible at the site had been erected before the deaths, and whether additional safety measures had since been introduced.
Harmony did not answer these questions directly. “Harmony sadly takes note of the recent drowning incidents concerning two children that occurred near Target 2 Rock Dump,” the company said in a written response.
Harmony spokesperson Chipo Morapedi Mrara said SAPS in Allanridge had been notified and that the children were found dead following a search.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families affected by this tragic loss,” Morapedi said. She said Harmony continued to cooperate with the authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“At Harmony, the safety of our employees and host communities remains our priority. As the matter is under investigation, any enquiries relating to the incident should be directed to the SAPS.” Police confirmed that an investigation into the drownings was under way.
However, when Health-e News visited the site in the days following the tragedy, it found no fencing or physical barriers around the area. The mine dam remained open and easily accessible. – Health-e News
