Zimbabwe names nationals who died

2 Views

The Zimbabwean government has released the names of 20 of its nationals who died during South Africa’s controversial Operation Vala Umgodi, a months-long clampdown on illegal mining that turned deadly.

The operation, which unfolded in Stilfontein, in the North West Province of South Africa, saw dozens of illegal miners trapped underground at a disused mine.

By the time authorities ended the standoff in January, many people had died, most likely from starvation, according to human rights groups.

Twenty Zimbabweans died during Operation Vala Umgodi

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that 20 of those who perished were Zimbabweans. Many of them had reportedly gone to South Africa in search of better economic opportunities.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has received a request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade from authorities in South Africa to assist in the location and identification of relatives of Zimbabweans who sadly perished in a mine during Operation Vala Umgodi recently,” national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police releases the names of the victims who died during the operation in South Africa. The bodies are yet to be claimed by the next of kin.”

Police release names of the deceased

Below is a list of 20 Zimbabweans who died during Operation Vala Umgodi.

No.	Name	Surname	Next of Kin
1	Bothwell	Mlambo	None
2	Bobo	Sithole	Maggie Dziva
3	Gladman	Mlambo	Unknown
4	Blessing	Mlambo	Unknown
5	Shepherd	—	Unknown
6	Kenisa	Majoni	Shadhi Maji (Brother)
7	Benard	Mamombe	Unknown
8	Trust	Makitisa	Meshack Ziyaduma, Lazarus Ziyaduma
9	Jairosi	Pasa	Simon Maronga, Enes Mahachi, Kenas Pasi
10	Moses	Chidumba	Unknown
11	Thomas	Chipanza	Unknown
12	Jack	Mlambo Maeza	Joseph Mlambo
13	Edzai	Mlambo Maeza	Unknown
14	Make	Mlambo	Kenas Mlambo
15	Pindirai	Dumbarimwe	Kenas Mlambo
16	Tendai	Mubaiba	Unknown
17	Mebishengs	Mutubuki	Unknown
18	Tinashe	Shangure	Unknown
19	Tafadzwa	Ndlovu	Unknown
20	Justice	Mwapinda	Unknown