The process to identify 93 bodies of suspected illegal miners retrieved from Buffelsfontein Gold Mine's Shaft No. 11 between Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and Wednesday, January 15, 2025, is well underway.
This follows the completion of post-mortems conducted on all the recovered bodies.
Nine bodies were brought to the surface using a pulley system or rope by community volunteers between Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Seventy-eight bodies were retrieved between Monday, January 13, and Wednesday, January 15, 2025, during a Mine Rescue Operation.
Five suspected illegal miners succumbed to their injuries while admitted to hospitals between Monday, January 20, and Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Four of these individuals resurfaced at Buffelsfontein Shaft No. 11, while one was recovered at Margaret Shaft.
One additional body was brought to the surface at Margaret Shaft.
In the investigation into the inquest dockets of the first nine bodies, three were successfully identified and handed over to family members, all originating from Mozambique.
Identification Process Progress: As part of the ongoing investigation, DNA samples were collected from the 78 bodies retrieved during the Mine Rescue Operation.
Additionally, 54 sets of fingerprints were taken for comparison, leading to the identification of ten individuals through previous arrests in the country. The nationalities of those identified are:
Mozambique - 7
Zimbabwe - 1
Lesotho - 1
South Africa - 1
To aid in further identifications, members of the public who suspect their missing relatives might have been working in the Khuma/Stilfontein area as zama zamas were encouraged to contact the investigation team at Stilfontein Police Station between February 4 and 14, 2025.
This initiative led to the collection of 45 control DNA samples from next of kin, with the following nationalities:
Mozambique - 18
Lesotho - 6
Zimbabwe - 8
South Africa - 12
Botswana - 1
The collaborative efforts between the affected countries continue to assist in identifying the bodies and bringing closure to families.
For inquiries regarding the identification process, Colonel Francois Jacobs can be contacted at 082 373 8216 or 082 496 9642.
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Updated: 20 February 2025 Thursday
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