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South Africa: 20 bodies found near the gold mine where the probe was launched South African news

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The dead are believed to be illegal miners, whose decomposed bodies were found near an abandoned mine in the town of Orkney.

South African police have launched an investigation into the deaths of 20 men found near an abandoned gold mine in the northwestern province.

The bodies, some of which were badly decomposed, were found outside the mine shaft and near the Orkney railways, about 180 km southwest of Johannesburg, according to a statement issued by police on Wednesday.

He also said the bodies were found “wrapped in white plastic bags” and had “severe body burns.” An autopsy will be performed, the note added.

“All of the dead are believed to be illegal miners known as‘ cargo loads ’operating on the outdated axes of Orkney and Stilfontein,” the document says.

“The first five bodies were found on Monday and 15 (more) bodies on Tuesday,” police spokesman Sabata Mokgwabone told AFP news agency.

Unknown identities

According to the South African media SABC News, police have not yet determined the identities of the men.

“This follows unconfirmed reports over the weekend that several illegal miners were killed in an underground explosion,” he reported.

SABC quoted Mokgwabone as saying: “All of them are male bodies and I can confirm that at this stage they have not yet been identified and were badly decomposed and had serious burn wounds. Our research is still ongoing and we hope as research progresses. We will know who these people are. and perhaps what could have caused that particular event. “

According to the South African Commission on Human Rights, thousands of “cargo burdens” – meaning “those who try their luck” in Zulu – operate in the country.

The mining industry, which employs almost half a million people, help last year about 8% of the country’s total GDP. However, more people are involved in illegal mining activities, most of which are run by crime syndicates. Nearly 50% of blacks have lived in poverty for almost 30 years since the end of white rule.



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