Two more bodies believed to be those of illegal miners have been discovered in Krugersdorp in the West Rand, Gauteng police confirmed on Thursday morning.
The discovery brings the total number of dead bodies found in one of the active mines in the area to 21. On Wednesday, the police said 19 bodies were found dumped in the area.
Brigadier Brenda Muridili said preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased were moved and dumped where they were discovered.
“No foul play is suspected at this stage and post-mortem will determine the cause of death. All the necessary role players have been summoned to the scene and an inquest docket has been registered for further investigation,” said Muridili.
Last week, 14 men linked to the gruesome gang rapes of eight women at a disused mine dump in West Village, Krugersdorp were exonerated when the Krugersdorp magistrate’s court withdrew the charges for lack of evidence.
Phindi Mjonondwana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said at the time that the men had been cleared of all charges of rape, sexual assault, and robbery.
However, they remain in custody on a charge of contravening the Immigration Act.
“The National Prosecuting Authority decided to withdraw the charges of rape, sexual assault, and robbery with aggravating circumstances against all 13 men and the minor, who were all charged for the incident that happened on 28 July 2022, where eight women were allegedly gang-raped while filming a music video at a mine dump in Krugersdorp,” said Mjonondwana.
“The prosecution will, however, continue in the Krugersdorp magistrate’s court in respect of charges of contravening the Immigration Act.”
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