All hope lost to recover Boksburg boy who fell down mine shaft
The Ekurhuleni metro is planning to hold a memorial service for Richard Thole, the five-year-old boy from Jerusalem who fell down a disused mine shaft in February.
This is after the SANDF, which was the last resort in rescuing Richard, called his case “unique”.
Mine shaft drama: Hope fades for Richard Thole’s family
Reporting to the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, on March 14, the SANDF said that while they had carried out many rescue operations across the continent, this case was unique.
They said the weather patterns, such as sporadic heavy rains, had impacted on the stability of the surrounding soil.
The SANDF stated that the report and equipment provided by the Mines Rescue Services was the best on the continent.
It further reported that there is sufficient evidence that there is a possibility of losing more people in an attempt to recover the body, as going down further into the shaft poses a greater risk of the ground caving in.
They have now tasked the Research and Development staff officers to engage with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as well as industry, to investigate new technologies to address future incidents.
Given the report, the mayor of Ekurhuleni resolved to continue offering counselling services to the family and added that the metro will hold a memorial service for Richard.
Masina has proposed that all mining sinkholes be cordoned off and that the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, together with community, should ensure that these holes aren’t opened.
He said that the City Manager must urgently lead the process of relocating members of the community to a safer place.
Masina added that the metro has noted reports of a purported story that the metro had placed sand in the sinkhole.
“The media sensationalism around the story has been severely harmful to members of the family. The matter was raised with the family as well as community leaders.
“The ground around the mine shaft has been severely unstable and this has caused more soil to fall into the shaft.
“While we note that this has been a human interest story which has received much attention, as the metro we plead that consideration be given to the family and what they are going through.
“The parents are devastated, and like any parent, all they wished for was the recovery of the body.
“As the metro, our efforts from day one have been one of doing everything to assist the family.
“However, due to the reports from experts and the danger posed around the mission, we are compelled by law to abide by reports we have been given, which is to stop the operation.
“We remain committed towards assisting the Thole family through these trying times.
They have indicated that we allow them time to consider our offer of assistance and that is what we have agreed on together with community leaders.”
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