ID process of Stilfontein illegal miners ‘far from over’
The identification process for nearly 80 suspected illegal miners from the abandoned Stilfontein gold mine is far from over.
The North West Health Department earlier provided an update on the progress of autopsies and the reclaiming process in Rustenburg on Wednesday.
According to the department, only five families have come forward thus far.
During the anti-illicit mining operation in Stilfontein, it emerged that the majority of the arrested suspects and the deceased originated from neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho.
In January, 78 bodies were extracted from the disused shaft 11 during a rescue operation led by mine rescue services, nearly two months after the police minister promised to intervene.
Deputy Director General for Hospital Services Polaki Mokotsane said that while families have come forward — they are yet to finalise any handover of the deceased.
“Five families have come forward, and the police have taken the process of making sure that the identification does happen.”
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