South African police say they have opened inquest dockets after 20 unidentified bodies were found in the gold mining town of Orkney, outside Klerksdorp.
In a statement on Wednesday, police said they suspected the deceased to be illegal miners.
“All the deceased are suspected to be illegal miners commonly known as ‘zama zamas’ operating in obsolete shafts in Orkney and Stilfontein,” police said.
They said the deceased had severe burns and were found wrapped in white plastic bags.
The bodies were found in different locations.
Five of the bodies were discovered outside an old unused mine shaft in Lawrence Park on Tuesday, June 14.
#sapsNW Police opened inquest dockets after 20 unidentified bodies were on Tuesday, 14 and Wednesday, 15 June 2021, found at two various locations in Orkney. Anyone who may have information, call Col Gaanakgomo 082 568 5975 or Crime Stop 08600 10111. NP https://t.co/FRhiEkbjNe pic.twitter.com/LptXzvoRx8
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) June 16, 2021
“On Wednesday, 15 June 2021, 14 more decomposed bodies were found along Ariston Road near the railway line in Orkney.
“While still processing the scene, the police received information that another body was discovered where the initial five bodies were found, thus bringing a total number to 20, police said.
They said investigations into the matter “included the possibility of linking the incident with the video that was circulating on social media platforms wherein a man calling himself “Mafifi” was seen pleading for assistance following an apparent smoke inhalation occurrence at shaft number six”.
PICTURE: Twitter
