The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has opened an inquest file following the discovery of the remains of eight alleged illegal miners in Driekop near Burgersfort.
According to the spokesperson for the SAPS Limpopo, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the alleged zama-zamas were entrapped underground.
“The Police in Driekop, outside of Burgersfort, have filed an inquiry docket after eight accused illegal miners perished while mining for chrome in the ga-Maroga settlement on Friday, January 6, 2023, after being stuck underground. One South African, three Mozambicans, and four Zimbabweans were allegedly engaged in illicit mining when the area was flooded by severe rains, obstructing their only escape and access point. “It appears that they then suffocated,” Mojapelo stated in a statement.
Mojapelo asserts that Limpopo law enforcement was sent to the location on January 7, 2023, after community members got entry underground and began recovering the bodies of the presumed miners.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has urged members of the community against indulging in illicit mining, since it is both dangerous and illegal.
“As a province, we have established a team to combat illegal mining throughout the province, particularly along the R37 road in the Sekhukhune District, and many illegal miners and mining equipment have been arrested,” said Hadebe.
Police noted that charges in terms of the Immigration Act will also be pursued against the seven deceased as they were in the country unlawfully. Additionally, a case of illegal mining will be filed against all of them. In addition, an autopsy will be performed to identify the cause of death.
#sapsLIM The Police in Driekop, outside of Burgersfort, have opened an inquest file after eight alleged illegal miners who were mining for chrome in the ga-Maroga community perished after becoming stuck underground on January 6, 2023. #IllegalMining ML https://t.co/kU25bqJbXw pic.twitter.com/mN7uCqGD8J
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 8, 2023
»Inquest initiated after eight suspected zama-zamas found DEAD«