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Herald Reporter
Zimbabweans should use proper travel documents to avoid exposing themselves to dangers associated with illegal activities like border jumping, Zimbabwe’s Consular-General in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr Godfrey Magwenzi has said.After addressing South Africa-based Zimbabweans at a memorial service for 21 illegal miners who died from suspected gas poisoning at the Durban Deep mine in Roodepoort on February 21 this year, Mr Magwenzi urged relatives accompanying the remains for burial to regularise their travel documents.

“It was evident that most people at the funeral wake did not have proper travel documents and we urged them to visit our offices for assistance. We also highlighted the dangers associated with illegal gold mining at abandoned mine shafts,” Mr Magwenzi said.

He discouraged Zimbabweans from using middlemen to assist them illegally cross borders.

“They are people known as omalayetsha who are paid between R2 000 and R4 000 so that people sneak into South Africa through illegal crossing points and this is exposing many people to danger,” he said.

The 21 bodies, which were expected to be repatriated yesterday, are scheduled to leave Johannesburg at 8am this morning (Friday).
“We have held a meeting with the committee co-ordinating transport for the deceased and relatives. They will leave Johannesburg in a single convoy until they cross into Zimbabwe.

“The vehicles going to Zhombe and Tsholotsho will branch off while the 18 bodies going to Nkayi and Gokwe South will be taken to Njaye Business Centre in Nkayi where a tent has been pitched to receive the convoy for another service,” Mr Magwenzi said.

Mr Herbert Ndlovu, who is alive because he did not go to the mine that day, said he was still in shock.

“Our colleagues were missing for three days when we decided to look for their bodies. I am not aware of the gas that killed them but they looked swollen and their skin was peeling off as we carried them,” he said yesterday.

Ndlovu said at least 100 illegal miners used to enter the disused mine daily, going more than 30km in the shafts seeking gold.

The deceased have been identified as Nompilo Siziba, Kwanele Siziba, Ndumiso Siziba, Melusi Siziba, Mthandazo Ncube, Mehluli Ncube, Danisa Ncube, Carrison Mpofu, Brighton Mlambo, Khethani Mbiba, Tshepani Sibanda, Shepherd Mkandla and Brighton Moyo from Chief Madliwa’s area in Nkayi District.

The bodies of Dick Gumbi, Life Ndlovu, Edward Ncube and Nqobani Mlambo will be ferried to Chief Makora’s area in Gokwe South.
The late Ndodana Liberty Mathe and Caanan Dube from Chief Siphoso’s area in Tsholotsho, and Ndodana Mathe from Chief Nduku’s area in Kwekwe, will also be repatriated today.

Also to be repatriated today are the bodies of Godfrey Shava and Vecent Tshuma.

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