By Kaya 959 News
Police have opened inquest dockets after the bodies of 20 suspected illegal miners were found in Orkney, just outside Klerksdorp in the North West province this week.
The bodies were found concealed in white plastic bags, at two locations in Orkney.
SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said the first five decomposing bodies were found at around 9am on Tuesday outside an unused mine shaft ventilation in Lawrence Park in Orkney.
“On Wednesday, 14 more decomposed bodies were found near the Ariston Road railway line, also in Orkney,” he said.
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,” he said.
READ: KZN mining executive gunned down in hail of bullets
Mokgwabone said 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.
Cause of death unknown
As part of investigations, post-mortems will be conducted to determine a cause of death for the men.
Mokgwabone said investigations into the matter continues and it includes the possibility of linking the incident with the video that was circulated on social media platforms.
The video showed a man calling himself “Mafifi” pleading for assistance following an apparent smoke inhalation occurrence at shaft number six.
Police are requesting anyone who may have information regarding the incident to call Colonel Gaanakgomo at 082 568 5975 or South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number: 08600 10111.
Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS App. The information will be treated with strictest confidentiality.
Four miners killed in Mpumalanga
Earlier this month, four illegal miners were killed at the Transvaal Gold Mining Estate in Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga police spokesman, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, said a fight had broken out between two groups of illegal miners.
He said the men were killed and their bodies dumped in a mine shaft.
He said a fifth man was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
A suspect has been arrested for the murders.
Hlathi said they were dealing with a number of illegal mining.
“The police have on several occasions warned people not to engage in illegal mining activities,” he said.
Last year, there were several incidents of illegal miners being killed.
In Florida, two men were killed and six more injured when they were accosted by a group of people waiting for them in an open field.
Before that nine illegal miners were attacked and stoned to death in Matholeville.
