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Herald Reporter
Bodies of the 21 illegal miners who died in a suspected gas poisoning at the Durban Deep Mine in Roodeport, South Africa, began their final journey back home yesterday.The illegal miners were part of the 23 Zimbabweans who perished on February 21 due to gas poisoning at the disused mine.

Speaking from his Johannesburg base, Zimbabwe Consular-General Mr Godfrey Magwenzi confirmed the latest developments.

“The convoy consisting eight vehicles started the journey around 10 o’clock in the morning and we expected it to drive through Roodeport where our colleagues lost their lives before they head straight to the border.”

Mr Magwenzi said the bodies would be taken straight to a funeral parlour in Bulawayo.

“We expect the bodies to be dispatched to the various centres where the victims come from. The memorial service in Nkayi has been moved to Mapiwa Primary School in Gokwe South,” he said.

Government – through relatives and two Zimbabwean companies – mobilised R53 000 for the repatriation of the bodies. The consulate has issued  temporary travel documents to 40 relatives accompanying the bodies to Zimbabwe.