Mine shafts to be closed by the end of the year
The death of a local boy raised a number of question about open disused mine shafts, especially in a former mining town like Boksburg.
Back in February 2017, a tragedy unfolded in Boksburg when a 5-year boy, Richard Mohlala, fell down a disused mine shaft in Jerusalem informal settlement.
The incident triggered an intensive rescue mission, which was eventually abandoned due to the dangers posed.
The body was never recovered.
At the time, Mine Rescue services also tried to retrieve the child without success. They abandoned the effort due to unstable conditions around the shaft.
The failed rescue effort caused angered residents to resorted to a fiery protest which left a trail of destruction in the neighbouring Main Street in Witfield. Traffic Lights were uprooted, dustbins turned upside down and left broken.
This matter was addressed by mayor Mzwandile Masina during his latest State of the City Address.
He said following this tragic incident, the City, through the Siyaqhuba Mayoral Outreach Programme, approached the Council for Geoscience and the Department of Mineral Resources with a request for assistance to close all unused mine shafts in Ekurhuleni.
The mayor said by end of 2019, six mine shafts around the City will officially be closed.
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