24 October 2025
Klerksdorp Record, Orkney - The two men who died last week trying to open up a blocked sewer line in Orkney, were identified as Sammy Mangaleso Pule and Mojalefa Piet Medupe (38).
They were overpowered by methane gas while trying to clear a blocked manhole in Shakespeare Street on Wednesday October 15. Matlosana Fire and Rescue were called to the scene to retrieve their bodies. According to Col Adele Myburgh, police spokesperson, a third man who noticed they were in trouble and tried to rescue them, were also overpowered by the toxic fumes and rescued by his father. He was hospitalised after the incident.
Klerksdorp Record was told that the older man employed Pule and Medupe and sent them down the manhole to try and unblock the line. “An inquest was opened into their death which can be changed later to culpable homicide if the investigation leads detectives in that way,’’ said Myburgh.
Pule’s son has confirmed that he already spoke to a lawyer in connection with his father’s death. “My lawyer has instructed me not to speak to the media. All I can say is that my father was my mentor.’’
Medupe’s family is from Botshabelo, Freestate. Funeral arrangements for both are ongoing. Neither the employer nor his son were identified. The Matlosana Municipality confirmed that the deceased were not their employees, nor were they contracted by the Municipality to undertake any work at the time of the incident.
In response to the incident, the DA said it is because of poor maintenance by the Municipality that the two men died. “This devastating incident occurred when residents, out of sheer desperation, attempted to unblock a sewer that had been overflowing in their street for months. Despite numerous complaints and pleas for intervention, the municipality failed to act.
“This tragedy is a direct consequence of ongoing municipal neglect, poor governance, and the collapse of basic service delivery under the current ANC administration.”
In conveying the Municipality’s condolences, the Executive Mayor, Councillor Fikile Mahlophe, said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.”
The DA said no resident should ever have to risk their life to restore a service that the municipality is both legally and morally obligated to provide.
The DA demanded a full and transparent investigation into this incident to ensure accountability for those whose inaction contributed to this loss of life.
