By OBAKENG MAJE
More bodies of illegal miners are expected to be discovered at abandoned China Africa Precious Metals (CAPM) mining shaft. This comes after a gruesome discovery of 20 severely burnt bodies of illegal miners stashed in a grain near the area recently.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, said the unidentified bodies were found at two various locations on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mokgwabone said the first five decomposed bodies were found at approximately 7pm on Tuesday, outside an old and unused mine shaft ventilation in Lawrence Park, Orkney.
“On Wednesday, 14 more decomposed bodies were found along Ariston Road near the railway line in Orkney. 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.
“All these deceased are suspected to be illegal miners commonly known as “zama zamas” operating in obsolete shafts in Orkney and Stilfontein. Furthermore, as part of investigations, post-mortems will be conducted to determine the cause of their deaths,” said Mokgwabone.
He further said the investigation into the matter continues and it includes the possibility of linking the incident with the video that was circulated on social media platforms wherein a man calling himself “Mafifi” was seen pleading for assistance following an apparent smoke inhalation occurrence at shaft 6.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West said it was shocked following the gruesome discovery. Now, SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe calls on authorities to intensify the crackdown on unlawful mining operations.
“We condemn in the strongest terms these ghastly and horrendous criminal acts. The slaughter fields must be shut down for illegal mining operations before more dead bodies are retrieved or are in some cases buried clandestinely underneath the belly of the earth.
“It is a travesty of justice that shocking atrocities of this nature are committed with impunity by the so-called zama-zamas, while municipal authorities, the Department of Mineral Resources and law enforcement agencies are seemingly turning a blind eye to the nefarious activities that have shown no regard for the value of human lives,” he said.
Sebegoe also called for the establishment of an integrated specialised unit to tackle the economic crimes committed by ruthless syndicates that are taking advantage of desperate unemployed people from neighbouring countries.
He said mining houses should be held accountable for their failure to rehabilitate abandoned mines.
“They are indirectly responsible for illegal activities that are claiming the lives of desperate miners, who are lured to death traps by ruthless crime syndicates. We urge police to investigate whether human trafficking is not involved in these atrocious activities.
No stone should be left unturned. Justice for victims must be served without compromise, says Sebegoe.
North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro along with North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport, Sello Lehari are expected to visit the area today following the Minister of Energy, Gwede Mantashe’s visit yesterday.
The police request 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 the strictest confidentiality.
The Guardian 
This unused mines should be closed completely all over south Africa because there are all over this zama zama trying their luck in all unused mines to feed their families. Majority of them their lives ends there without any trace, others spent even three months underneath the earth.
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