By Bahle Gama
A man from Lesotho lost his life during an illegal mining incident at Piggs Peak.
According to police reports, the 23-year-old died after he fell into a hole during the alleged illegal mining incident at the old Pigg’s Peak mine on April 26 at 10 p.m.
It is unclear whether the man was alone or with others when the incident occurred.
Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer (PICO) Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni said police were still investigating the matter.
It seems the old mine is famous with foreigners as this is not the first incident to occur.
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In September 2021, a Mozambican man also plunged to his death while illegally mining gold at the mine.
The 19-year-old reportedly slipped and fell into the old mineshaft, which was about 100 meters deep, equivalent to falling from the 30th floor of a building.
The mine which is located along the borderline of South Africa is alleged to be frequented by people who engage in illegal gold mining popularly known as ‘Zama Zama.
The Mozambican was reported to have been with other people who were also illegally mining, and when they heard his cries for help, they proceeded to where he was to rescue him.
Illegal miners are said to descend the mineshaft using strong cables that they tie around their waist and are divided into groups, with one entering the shaft and the other as a lookout monitoring their safety.
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When it was established that the Mozambican man had fallen into the mineshaft, his friends are said to have attempted to rescue him by tying and lifting his lifeless body to the surface, which was later handed to the police.
Reports state that some of the illegal miners enter the country from South Africa and Mozambique to illegally mine gold, which they sell to local buyers, who then smuggle it to neighbouring countries.
