The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) earlier stated that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho just relayed the message to the High Commission of South Africa that a group of illegal miners passed away in a mine ventilation shaft, which was last operated in the 1990s. 

The Free State police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng explained that on 9 June 2023, the Lesotho Consulate reported to the investigator that three bodies were retrieved from underground by illegal miners themselves, at the H5 ventilation shaft mine in Virginia. 

An unused ventilation shaft at Virginia with smoke coming from underground. PHOTO: SAPS

When police arrived on the scene, three dead people were found covered with black plastics and also had name tags.

“According to witnesses, 28 bodies are still lying underground as a result of the methane explosion while Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Mzondi Mojafi, and Colonel Senobia Solomon, Virginia Station Commander, SAPS members and mine security are busy at the crime scene. A 32-year-old man was arrested for illegal immigration and he was in possession of a notebook with written orders of food meant for illegal miners,” he said.

DMRE revealed that it had sent inspectors to assess the situation. It was determined that methane levels at mine ventilation shaft 5 are very high. As a result, it is too risky to dispatch a search team now.

ALSO READ: Illegal miners died in closed Free State mine

Meanwhile, Thakeng has sent a stern warning to people who trespass old mine premises by stating that it is risky and it might lead to deaths. He further said the mine is not obligated to retrieve anyone as it has been declared dangerous.

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