By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness to the devastating and tragic loss of innocent lives at the Angelo Informal Settlement, in Boksburg.
The gas leak claimed the lives of at least 17 people. Three children were among the victims on Wednesday evening, including a 1-year-old.
Among those admitted to the hospital, four are critical, and 11 are in a serious but stable condition.
Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said the president wished to extend his heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost loved ones.
“President Ramaphosa has described this as a very sad morning. He further urges investigators to get to the bottom of what may have caused this accident to avoid similar disasters in future,” he said.
Community members claimed agents of the illicit mining trade, who process the gold-bearing material from illegal miners, called ‘phendukas’, had been operating the clandestine plant for nearly a year before the tragedy.
Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela said the owner of the dwelling where the gas cylinder was tampered with, was found dead a year ago.
“This place was rented out to certain individuals whom they say are from Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, they couldn’t give me the names of those individuals, but we’ll work with them to identify those who worked here.”
Residents said they lived in constant fear of the miners, who often carry guns and intimidate them.
Judite Manhice lost her son and daughter-in-law, who lived opposite the plant’s compound, where seven people died.
“They say the person who leased this place out doesn’t live here, he lives in Soweto. These ones that work here brought this thing [cylinder] and opened it yesterday, and it just killed people, “she said with tears streaming down her face.
The gas leak comes seven months after the Boksburg gas tanker explosion that claimed the lives of 41 people in December 2022.