Four more bodies have been retrieved from the Eland Shaft mine in Welkom, while 11 people have been arrested on illegal mining charges, Free State police said on Thursday.
“We have registered a case of inquest and I have identified a team of investigation experts who will lead the investigation related to this incident and other illicit mining incidents,” Free State police commissioner Lieutenant-General Lebeoana Tsumane said.
“Together with the mine management we have put measures in place to prevent the continuation of illegal mining. We view this tragedy in the serious light, hence we are engaged in extensive operational and physical measures meant to curb acts of illegal mining.”
This brings the total number of bodies retrieved to 29.
Free State police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo said that the preliminary investigation indicated that the deaths was as a result of an explosion that occurred at a ventilation shaft about 13km from Eland Shaft mine on May 11.
“Most of the bodies that were retrieved by the mine security and rescue teams had name tags with contacts and nationality attached to them. The deceased who were found to be from neighbouring countries are still to be positively identified,” Mbambo said.
“Others who were found to be completely decomposed will be identified through DNA comparison. Two have so far been positively identified by family members and have since been taken back to their country of origin. Eleven people were arrested and charged with illegal mining, trespassing and theft of mine property and will appear in court soon.”
On Tuesday, 24 bodies were retrieved from the mine by the mine’s security company.
– African News Agency (ANA)
