Gauteng police have discovered the bodies of 19 suspected illegal miners in an illegal mine in Krugersdorp.
The gruesome discovery was confirmed by the police on Wednesday afternoon. Officers said the bodies were moved to the mine from another location.
It is unclear how the alleged illegal miners widely known as “zama zamas” died and the police said they didn’t suspect any foul play.
“The police in Gauteng can confirm that on November 2 at about 3pm, members from SAPS Krugersdorp responded to a call following the discovery of 19 bodies of alleged illegal miners in one of the active mines in the area,” said Brigadier Brenda Mudirili, the police spokesperson.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased were moved and placed where they were discovered. No foul play is suspected at this stage and postmortem will determine the cause of death.
“All the necessary role players were summoned to the scene. An inquest docket has been registered for further investigation.”
In a separate incident in the Free State on Tuesday, Parkroad police were called to an open area at the corner of Zastron Street and 2nd Avenue in Westdene, where the body of an unknown male was found.
According to Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, on arrival police found the body of a male who is about 35 years old, wearing a grey jersey and boxer shorts, and his body was covered with a duvet.
He had burn wounds on his legs and bruises on his face. Emergency services were summoned and declared him dead, said Kareli.
“So far, no one has been arrested, and police are pleading with anyone who has information of what happened to the victim or who knows the victim to contact Detective Captain Mokoena on 082 526 2653or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send an anonymous tip-off on the My Saps App.”
Source: Sowetan Live, Eyewitness News, IOL, The Citizen, The South African, image from Twitter: @kasibcnews