Central SA
Families of Stilfontein zama zamas prepare to bid farewell─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:58 Wed, 05 Feb 2025
The bodies of illegal miners recovered during the intensive rescue operation in Stilfontein will soon be released for burial, the North West Department of Health has confirmed.
MEC Sello Lehari provided an update during a media briefing in Rustenburg on Wednesday (5/2). “We have retrieved 78 bodies following the rescue operation,” Lehari said.
“Our department has been working tirelessly with medical professionals to ensure that every step, from retrieval to postmortem examinations, has been conducted with the utmost diligence.”
The bodies were transported to different government mortuaries: 21 to Klerksdorp, 16 to Potchefstroom, and 42 to Brits.
Postmortems were conducted in two phases, Lehari explained. “Between 22 and 24 January, 36 bodies underwent postmortems, while the remaining 42 were examined between 27 and 29 January.”
As of Monday, 13 January, 39 injured illegal miners were hospitalised. Lehari confirmed that 31 have since been discharged, while two have died.
A pauper’s funeral will be arranged for unidentified victims once all stakeholders reach a consensus.
Despite the official conclusion of the rescue operation, the illegal mining crisis in the area is far from over. Acting Provincial Commissioner Maj. Gen. Patrick Asaneng reported further discoveries following the initial rescue.
“In the days after our primary operation, more miners have surfaced from the Margaret shaft. On Monday, 27 January, one body was recovered. The next day, two miners emerged, and yesterday, three more were found – bringing the total to five,” Asaneng said.
He added that these developments highlight the ongoing illegal mining problem in the area.
Meanwhile, four police officers were arrested on Friday (31/1) for allegedly aiding the escape of notorious illegal mining figure Neo “Tiger” Tshwaeli, who was among those rescued from the abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine shaft.
WOs Jack Motlhabya (37) and Menzi Shabalala (38), along with Sgts Ntutuko Dladla (40) and Samkelo Mbotho (38), were part of Operation Vala Umgodi, which targeted illegal mining activities in Stilfontein.
The officers were released on bail of R1,000 each. Their next court appearance was set for 5 March 2025.
