Probe launched after 14 illegal miners killed in collapse at private Marikana site, North West

Rubber boots believed to belong to illegal miners lay near a shaft entrance at a disused mine in Marikana, Rustenburg, North West province. South African police said that 14 illegal miners had died and scores of others were injured at the mine. Image credit: Reuters/Siyabonga Sishi

Valid permit

According to police, some 14 people died when the walls of an excavated area they were digging in caved in. Scores of others have been injured while rescue operations continue.

“The department is currently reviewing all relevant information relating to the incident and will, at an appropriate time, provide further details, including matters related to compliance with applicable laws governing licenses and permits.

“The DMPR continues to work with law enforcement agencies, mining rights holders and affected communities to strengthen prevention and enforcement efforts against illegal mining,” a departmental statement read.

According to Reuters, the collapse occurred as the miners were digging for platinum group metals (PGMs) at a disused dump on a private company’s site.

ENCA reports that illegal miners allegedly accessed a permitted opencast shaft managed by Sustenza Trading.

The department has confirmed that the company holds a valid permit.

“The DMPR confirms that the incident occurred within the boundaries of an area where a valid mining permit has been issued.

“The department further confirms that the site is a surface opencast mining operation and does not include an underground mine shaft,” the statement continued.

Specialised investigation

Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) acting national commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane announced that additional specialised capacity will be sent to the area to support the ongoing rescue, recovery and investigative operations.

“The deployment of additional specialised capacity is intended to strengthen the North West Province and ensure that every aspect of this operation is approached with the necessary professionalism, expertise and sensitivity.

“Our responsibility is not only to establish what happened, but to do so through a thorough, lawful and evidence-driven process.

“We owe this to the deceased, their families and the broader community. At the same time, we must ensure that the integrity of the investigation is protected.

“We therefore appeal to the public and social media to refrain from speculation and allow the investigators to follow the evidence. Where criminality is established, those responsible will be brought to justice,” Dimpane stated.