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Killed mineworker was a jolly guy who liked cracking jokes

Lefa Maponya's great grandmother Monica Merafe and aunt Geoginah Marumo explaining on how they got to know about Lefa's death. Photo: Tiro Ramatlhatse
Lefa Maponya's great grandmother Monica Merafe and aunt Geoginah Marumo explaining on how they got to know about Lefa's death. Photo: Tiro Ramatlhatse

A man who died during a rock fall at a mine in Orkney, North West, was described as a jolly fellow who liked making jokes.

Lefa Maponya, 31, is one of four mineworkers who died in the mine accident after they were trapped underground on Saturday following a 0.8 magnitude seismic event at Tau Lekoa Gold Mine.

The four were called in to work overtime on that day and the rock fall occurred just before 12 noon.

The mine's corporate affairs manager Dirk Kotze said the rescue team worked for about 30 hours to reach the group, but by Sunday evening it was confirmed there were no survivors.

"All bodies were recovered by 21:00 (9pm); three of the deceased were South African, with one person hailing from Lesotho," Kotze said.

He said a full investigation would be launched into the incident by mine management and the Department of Mineral Resources.

Maponya's colleague, Makhala Motaung, said Maponya got along with everyone at work.

"Even when you came to work stressed, he knew how to put a smile on your face. He would make jokes and play a little with you," she said.

The three other deceased were not yet named.

Maponya's family said they were first informed about the incident on Saturday. His aunt, Georgina Marumo, said mine officials came to their Extension 6 Kanana home on Saturday but only said he had gotten seriously injured on both legs, was admitted in hospital and promised to come back.

But Marumo said she did not blame the officials as they found only children at home when they came around. She was however, disappointed when they did not come back.

"It's understandable, but they could have come back later and explained what exactly happened," Marumo said.

She said she had hoped that her nephew would be fine.

"My brother woke up on Sunday and went to the mine to get more information."

Her brother, Serame Marumo, was then informed that Maponya had died but his body was still trapped underground.

When Serame brought home the clothes Maponya had worn when he left for work, that was when the family realised he was no more.

Marumo said she had even told people that her nephew had survived.

"When I saw his clothes, I knew he was gone, but I was shocked to hear that he died at his workplace (and) not in hospital like we were told," she said.

Marumo said Maponya was respectful and that he was a breadwinner for the family.

Maponya's parents died in 2002 and 2003 and he was not married.

His 97-year-old great-grandmother, Monica Merafe, said Maponya took good care of her.

"I cry every time I close my eyes because I have lost the only person I knew loved me," she said.

Merafe said she had hoped Maponya would have a better future.

"He stayed unemployed for a very long time, he was working for that mine for two years now."

She said Maponya was taking care of his three children, aged, nine, five and a 10-month-old baby.

"He promised to throw me a big party when I turn 100 years. I don't think I will live that long. I guess his death was the will of God ," Merafe said.

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