The bodies of 20 men, believed to be illegal miners, were discovered on Tuesday and Wednesday at two locations in Orkney in the North West.
According to police, five decomposed bodies were found on Tuesday evening outside an old and unused mine shaft ventilation in Lawrence Park. Fourteen more bodies were discovered along Ariston Road, police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said on Wednesday.
“While still processing the scene, the police received information that another body was discovered where the initial five bodies were found, thus bringing a total number to 20. All the deceased are suspected to be illegal miners, commonly known as ‘zama-zamas’, operating in obsolete shafts in Orkney and Stilfontein. Furthermore, the deceased suffered severe body burns.”
Post-mortem examinations will be conducted to determine how the men died.
“[An] investigation into the matter continues, and it includes the possibility of linking the incident with the video that was circulated on social media platforms wherein a man calling himself ‘Mafifi’ was seen pleading for assistance following an apparent smoke inhalation occurrence at shaft number six.”
Police have appealed for further information about the incident confirming that the information would be treated confidentially.
Illegal mining is an ongoing practice; being illegal, it is difficult to control and sites are often defended by force.
[Photo: SABC]