Central SA
Stilfontein community volunteer in trouble for violating parole─── ZENANDE MPAME 09:52 Sun, 19 Jan 2025
A community volunteer who assisted in retrieving illegal miners in Stilfontein has landed in trouble for violating his parole conditions.
The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that Mzwandile Mkwayi violated his parole conditions by leaving his designated area without approval from his officials.
Mkwayi also violated his parole by engaging media without authorisation from his monitoring officials.
“The Department of Correctional Services has formally warned Mr Mkwayi of these violations,” said Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.
‘He remains on parole until the sentence expiry date’
“He remains on parole and will continue to be monitored in accordance with the conditions of his parole placement until the sentence expiry date.”
Mkwayi has been on parole since 15 April 2021 after a conviction of murder in September 2013 which is set to expire on 15 September 2028.
Two community members in Stilfontein volunteered to help the mine rescue team in their operation to retrieve illegal miners underground.
Mkwayi and Mandla Charles went underground with the cage meant to recover illegal miners from Shaft 11, they were able to assist in the recovery of 246 illegal miners who were still alive, and 78 bodies were recovered.
“Survivors of the horrific ordeal are going to require extensive counselling and psychosocial support to reclaim their sanity as well as integrate back into their families and society,” said North West Moral Regeneration Movement convenor Lesiba Kgwele.
“The nightmare of spending days with corpses underground must have seared the consciences, psychological and mental health of the arrested illegal miners that survived the traumatic experience.”
Law enforcement officers and community volunteers who were part of the rescue operation will also require debriefing and post-traumatic disorder counselling, he said.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe has denied allegations that Mkwayi was arrested and confirmed he is not in police custody.
“Mkwayi is not in custody, he was taken to the Klerksdorp Community Corrections Office for administrative purposes, as he is currently a parolee,” said Nxumalo.
“We will continue with Vala Umgodi operations to prevent and combat illicit mining activities in Stilfontein,” said Mathe.
