Repatriation of SA mine victims set for Friday

Repatriation of the 21 bodies of illegal miners who died at the Durban Deep mine in Roodepoort, South Africa, on February 21 this year has been moved to 8 o'clock in the morning tomorrow.

Twenty-three Zimbabweans died in the abandoned gold mine.

The announcement was made during a memorial service held for the victims at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cathedral in Braamfontein in Johannesburg.

Zimbabwe Consular General in Johannesburg Mr Godfrey Magwenzi said the relatives had agreed that the bodies would begin their final journey home tomorrow.

"The relatives agreed that the convoy starts it journey tomorrow Friday and we expect the procession to begin at exactly 8am," he said.

More than 500 Zimbabweans based in Johannesburg attended the memorial service which was addressed by Mr Magwenzi, four representatives from the districts where the bodies will be buried and a survivor.

Government has - through relatives and two Zimbabwean companies - mobilised R53 000 for the repatriation of the bodies.

Thirteen of the bodies will be going to Nkayi, five to Gokwe South, two to Tsholotsho and one to Zhombe.

The Consulate is working with the Registrar-General's Office to clear five of the deceased who did not have identification documents when they died.

The Consulate will also issue gratis temporary travel documents to 40 relatives to accompany the bodies to Zimbabwe.