Maputo — Twelve Mozambicans died in the first six months of this year in accidents in South African gold mines, according to a Thursday press release from the Labour Ministry.

The 12th fatality occurred on 26 June. The dead man was Pedro Vilanculo, from the city of Maxixe, in the southern province of Inhambane.

The accident was caused by a rock fall deep underground in the Kloof division mine at Westonaria, about 60 kilometres from Johannesburg.

Vilanculo had been working at the mine since 2007. His body is currently in a morgue in the town of Roodeport, awaiting transport to Maxixe.

The Labour Ministry delegation in South Africa says it is following the case, to ensure that Vilanculo's family is paid the benefits envisaged under the mine labour contracts for such cases.

A total of 2,167 Mozambicans work in the Kloof division mine.