ALLANRIDGE, FREE STATE — Two small children have drowned in mine dams owned by Harmony Gold Mine, sending shock waves through the small community.

The Pule Maile Foundation has expressed shock and concern following the deaths of the two children who drowned in dams reportedly situated on land owned by Harmony Gold Mine near Nyakallong township, Allanridge.

Pule Maile Foundation calls for support for bereaved families and legal action over deaths

According to the foundation, the two children, aged eight and nine, drowned on 29 Augustafter reportedly going to swim in a dam in the area.

The foundation said four boys, all aged between eight and nine, had left Nyakallong township and crossed the road towards the Harmony Gold Mine area, where they reportedly entered an unattended and unfenced dam.

While the children were swimming, nine-year-old Thabo Diloko Jeremiah reportedly drowned.

A passer-by allegedly attempted to rescue the child but was unable to reach him because the water was too deep. The other children reportedly returned home to raise the alarm, while the passer-by contacted the police.

Police divers later arrived and recovered the child’s body from the water, but he was already deceased.

The foundation said the remaining children went to inform a friend of the deceased before police arrived and cleared people from the scene.

During the incident, another eight-year-old boy, Lethabo Duncken Abraham, reportedly went missing.

Second child’s body recovered

On Sunday, 30 August, Lethabo’s parents reportedly went to Allanridge Police Station to open a missing-person case.

The following day, 31 August, the family was called to identify the body of an eight-year-old child recovered from another dam near the site where Thabo had drowned.

The body was identified as that of Lethabo, who had been missing since the previous day’s incident.

Foundation calls for support

The Pule Maile Foundation said it visited both families on 31 August and found them struggling to cope with the deaths.

According to the foundation, the families had received little or no support or counselling following the tragedy.

The foundation further alleged that Harmony Gold Mine had not yet visited the families to offer condolences, moral support or other assistance.

NovaNews has not independently verified these allegations and has sought comment from Harmony Gold Mine.

The foundation is calling on government departments, community organisations and residents of Nyakallong and Allanridge to support the bereaved families during what it described as an extremely difficult period.

It said both families had also asked the foundation to seek legal advice regarding possible action and accountability over the deaths.

“The foundation will allow the families to mourn their loved ones in peace and will thereafter fight for justice for Thabo Diloko and Lethabo Duncken,” the statement said.

Warning to parents and communities

The foundation also urged parents and communities to remain vigilant and ensure that children are kept away from dangerous and unattended bodies of water.

It said it would stand alongside the families and pursue the matter to ensure that their concerns were addressed and that justice was served.

• According to Sgt. Palesa Thabana of the Lejweleputswa SAPS the Allanridge police are investigating two Inquest dockets. This is after the lifeless bodies of two minor victims were retrieved from a rock dam in Allanridge.

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