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News24 reports that only 18 families have come forward to assist in the identification of the 75 severely decomposed bodies of illegal miners retrieved from an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein in January.
The bodies, currently lying in various government mortuaries in the North West, were part of a total of 78 bodies retrieved from the shaft. Two additional miners later died in hospital, bringing the total number of deaths to 80. Despite 18 families coming forward, it has yet to be confirmed if they are related to any of the deceased. DNA samples have been obtained from these families, all from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique and Malawi. They came forward after the authorities announced plans to bury the unknown bodies as paupers. Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone stated on Monday: "It's crucial for individuals who haven't heard from their next of kin, particularly those who were working in and around Khuma and Stilfontein as illegal miners, to contact the investigating team at the Stilfontein police station on 13 and 14 February between 08:00 and 15:00." He added that those who come forward should bring official identification for DNA sampling. Last week, Health Department MEC Sello Lehari announced that out of the 80 bodies, only five had been positively identified.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24
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