By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services in Gauteng have discovered another group of bodies of suspected illegal miners, this time at a dumping site in Germiston.
It is understood the eight bodies were found at a wasteyard at the corner of Johann Rissik and Jackson Road, wrapped in white sacks.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says the bodies were already at an advanced stage of decomposition.
“SAPS Germiston members responded to a scene at a dumping site, corner of Johan Rissik and Jackson roads across Rasta informal settlement.
“Upon arrival, they were shown eight bodies wrapped in white sacks. The bodies, which are in the stage of decomposition, are suspected to be of illegal miners.”
Muridili says the police must determine from where the bodies were retrieved before being dumped there.
“The cause of death will be determined by post-mortem,”
The gruesome discovery comes just hours after the Department of Mineral Resources reported that 31 suspected illegal miners died at a Virginia mine near Welkom in the Free State.
Muridili says an investigation will determine whether or not the two incidents are linked.
Meanwhile Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has accused the Lesotho government of “economic sabotage “following the deaths of 31 suspected illegal miners at a closed mine in Welkom, in the Free State.
Mantashe said on Friday that the Lesotho government was effectively condoning illegal mining in South Africa by its citizens by turning a blind eye to the problem.
“This incident, more than any other incident, has confirmed our view that this thing of illegal miners is actually economic sabotage [and] war on our economy, and therefore those who died there are almost like soldiers dying in combat…
“I think it’s a dangerous issue for neighbours to do that to one another,” Mantashe said.
He called on Lesotho to work with the South African government in addressing the issue of illegal miners who cross into SA and trade in illicit precious metals.
Mantashe said the SA government was already working with Lesotho on several matters, including the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 which commenced this year after being delayed for a number of years.