A routine maintenance operation ended in tragedy on 8 May along the Rand Water pipeline near the R551 in Henley on Klip, when two workers lost their lives and two others were hospitalised.
Meyerton SAPS communication officer, Nompumelelo Zazini, told Walkerville and Savanna City Times: “Upon arrival of Constable Mosia from Meyerton SAPS, Sergeant Nxumalo from the Crime Office and Captain Mthimkhulu, they discovered the bodies of two men, Nike Charly Mkhondo (38) and Tokelo Mzwangwe (45), lying near the entrance of the pipeline. The other two workers, whose names have not yet been released, had already been rushed to hospital.”
According to reports, three workers had entered the pipeline through an access hole to drain water using a generator when water unexpectedly started flowing through the pipe, flooding the exit point. Their supervisor, in an attempt to assist, also entered the pipeline – and all four men drowned inside.
Police have opened an inquest docket with two counts as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
