Foreigner drowned while searching for gold bearing material in Thabong

In an attempt to obtain a gold bearing material from Intermines Stores, the deceased drowned while fleeing from patrol security personnel.

According to police spokesperson in Lejweleputswa Stephen Thakeng, it is alleged that on Wednesday, 23 February, a Zimbabwean national drowned at the mine, and his disappearance perturbed his girlfriend, who reported her boyfriend missing at the Thabong police station.

Furthermore, the complainant alleged she received a call from an unknown person calling himself Silent Sithole.

“The unknown person, then claimed to be with the complainant’s boyfriend who had drowned while fleeing from security personnel,” said Thakeng.

The Thabong police then registered a missing person’s file for further investigation and assigned it to Detective Sergeant, Bidwell Madini.

According to the mine security, the suspect cut the fence to make his way to search for gold bearing material from the Plant Mills (Maphenduka), kept inside the yard of Intermines Stores.

Madini then conducted a thorough investigation and summoned the SAPS Diving Unit led by Lieutenant Colonel Conrad Fouche, who managed to retrieve the deceased’s body.

“The deceased’s next of kins were present upon the retrieving process from the waters in the mine premises. The deceased was then identified as Herbet Sithole from Zimbabwe,” Thakeng added.

The police are continuing with the investigation surrounding the tragic death of the deceased.