Anglo American Platinum says it is aware of the disappearance of Thomas Shaniseka Mashimbye in 2000, but based on the information gathered at the time and the investigation that was conducted, it believes he did not disappear on or at the Khomani mine.
On Tuesday afternoon, Conviction.co.za reported that the Mashimbye family alleged he disappeared at work.According to the family, Mashimbye reported for work, but there was no record of him getting out of the mine.
Cindy Maneveld, Anglo American Platinum's external communications manager, said at the time, a thorough investigation was conducted by the company, and key findings concluded that on 17 May 2000, Mashimbye reported for duty and went underground at the mine’s Frank 1 shaft. Mashimbye’s co-workers subsequently confirmed that they had seen him underground during the shift. A banksman confirmed that he saw Mashimbye exit the underground operations at the Frank 2 shaft at the end of the shift, on the same day.
"After reports were received that Mashimbye was missing, a number of search parties, which included the SAPS, Anglo American Platinum’s own security personnel, and a trade union, we're convened. Extensive searches to locate Mashimbye, both on the surface and
underground at the mine were conducted. These searches also included his place of residence, the surrounding communities, as well as his family home in Giyani. Several witnesses were interviewed in the process, flyers were distributed in the community, and all other means reasonably possible were used to trace Mashimbye’s whereabouts. Regrettably, Mashimbye was not found," Maneveld said.
"Anglo American Platinum confirms that the matter was reported to the various authorities, including the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and SAPS, for further investigation. We have and will continue to provide our full cooperation to authorities in respect of their investigations into the disappearance of Mashimbye. Furthermore, an inquest was held by the Magistrate’s Court for the District of Bafokeng, and subsequently, upon review by the High Court, it was found on 17 October 2005 that available evidence established that Mashimbye left the mine on 17 May 2000. It is unknown what happened to him thereafter. Mashimbye did not return to the mine."
Maneveld said that as Mashimbye did not return to work and internal processes to contact him were followed, his employment with Anglo American Platinum was terminated with effect from 20 July 2000. "Several engagements with Mashimbye’s family were held over the years to share the outcome of the company’s investigation as well as other available information. As Anglo American Platinum, we once again express our deepest sympathy to Mashimbye’s family for the distress his disappearance has caused," Maneveld added.
