Two young boys aged eight and nine have died in two separate drowning incidents at unsecured dams on Harmony Gold Mine premises near Nyakallong township in Allanridge. This unfortunate double tragedy unfolded on 29 August 2026 after a group of four children went for a swim in the unattended water bodies.

Divers recovered the body of Thabo Diloko Jeremiah (9), on the day of the incident after a passer-by failed to pull him from the deep water. 

The second boy, Lethabo Duncken Abraham (8), is believed to have disappeared later on that same day after, but his body was only found and retrieved from an adjacent dam the following day. Lethabo’s death remains shrouded in mystery as police continue their investigations.

Representatives from the Pule Maile Foundation visited both grieving families to offer support and to also help facilitate discussions regarding accountability. 

Foundation spokesperson, Shima Mahlatsi, confirmed that while the mining company assisted with burial expenses, further engagements remain pending.

“If (on) Tuesday they don’t come, (then) at 2:00 pm Tuesday we will meet with the two families, then map a way forward of legally challenging the negligence on the side of Harmony,” said Mahlatsi.

The families granted the mine until 15 September 2026 to engage them directly before initiating potential legal action over alleged negligence. Foundation leadership emphasised that allowing the families space to mourn remained the immediate priority.

Allanridge police registered two separate inquest dockets to investigate the drowning incidents. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Palesa Thabana, outlined the scope of the ongoing law enforcement inquiry.

“Allanridge police have registered two separate Inquest dockets,” Thabana said.

Investigators are determining whether security failures occurred at the site and if criminal liability exists.

Police further confirmed that post-mortem results are pending and questioning mine management forms part of the investigation.

“Further investigations will be conducted to determine whether any criminal liability or negligence exists,” she added.

Local authorities and community leaders urged parents to supervise children strictly around dangerous bodies of water such as neglected mine dams and quarries. Furthermore, police appealed to residents to ensure individuals swim only in designated and supervised facilities.