Dikgatlong Municipality councillor says the mine should be held accountable
A 13-YEAR-old girl drowned in a large pool of stagnant water that accumulated in an unused mining pit near the river in Barkly West.
Independent councillor at Dikgatlong Municipality, Mentley Bezuidenhout believed that the mine should be held liable for the girl’s death, as the ground should have been rehabilitated before they left the site.
“The site poses a danger to the community, but it was never cordoned off,” Bezuidenhout pointed out on Wednesday.
He said that the family was busy organising the funeral.
Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said the Barkly West SAPS had opened an inquest into the death of Rethabile Barnard.
“It is alleged that Barnard and a group of friends between the ages of nine and 13 years went to cool off in the Vaal River on Sunday, February 28, at about 1pm,” said Kock.
He added that Barnard is believed to have drowned in the river.
“Her body was retrieved by the SAPS divers. Anyone with information can call Detective Sergeant Kagisho Molusi on 082458 9670. The investigation continues.”
