Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tracy Tafirenyika
Published on 2024-03-16 06:00:00
The father of a 16-year-old boy, Tjali Sindimba, who tragically lost his life in a pit last month, is grieving the loss of his son’s unfulfilled dreams of becoming a pilot. Frans Sindimba, the father, expressed that Sindimba was set to be the family’s breadwinner, but his potential was cut short due to the incident at Kombat Mine. Despite the acknowledgment of the incident by Kombat Mine, the family only received a contribution of N$5,000 towards the burial expenses, leaving Frans to take out a loan to cover the unforeseen costs.
Frans blames Kombat Mine for not securing the pits where water is pumped and failing to inform the community about the potential risks involved. He described his son as diligent and quiet, highlighting that the unsecured pit near a resettlement area where children play soccer poses a serious danger. However, Kombat Mine’s management refutes the claim, stating that the incident occurred at a resettlement farm pond and not on their mine premises.
Sindimba recalls his son as a dedicated student with dreams of becoming a pilot, revealing that his last words were about bringing a USB to download movies. However, Sindimba never returned home after going to play soccer near the water pit. The family is devastated by the loss of their child in such a tragic manner, emphasizing the lack of communication by the mine regarding the risks involved in the area.
Fanie Muller, the vice president of Trigon operations and manager of Kombat Mine, extended his condolences to the family, clarifying that the incident took place at a resettlement farm pond and not at the mine itself. Muller outlined the measures taken by the mine to prevent such incidents, including fencing and warning signs, as well as community outreach programs to educate residents about the dangers of swimming in ponds and dams.
The mine has been actively involved in supporting the local community through various initiatives aimed at upliftment and assistance. Muller emphasized the mine’s commitment to environmental protection, community welfare, and stakeholder engagement through corporate social responsibility programs.
The police station commander at Kombat, inspector Chris Gamirob, confirmed that an investigation is underway into the incident. Swapo councillor George Garab acknowledged the tragedy but did not respond to further inquiries.
The loss of Tjali Sindimba has left a deep impact on his family and the community, underscoring the need for better safety measures and communication from mining companies to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As investigations continue, the family mourns the loss of a promising young life while seeking justice and answers.
Read the original article on The Namibian
