The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lt General Puleng Dimpane, has deployed additional specialised capacity to support ongoing rescue, recovery and investigative operations following the deaths of 14 illegal miners at a disused mine in Nkaneng, Rustenburg.

The deployment comes after authorities recovered 14 bodies on Tuesday from an excavated area where the walls caved in, killing the miners and seriously injuring eight others. Rescue operations continue as authorities work to determine whether more victims remain trapped underground.

“The deployment forms part of the SAPS National Office’s intervention to reinforce the capacity of the North West province and ensure that the complex operation is supported by specialised expertise, resources and personnel required to effectively manage the investigation and recovery efforts,” police said in a statement on Thursday.

Specialised teams working in hazardous conditions

Dimpane commended Provincial Commissioner Lt General Adams and specialised teams for progress made under extremely difficult circumstances, particularly following the recovery of the 14 bodies and the location of eight survivors at the scene.

“I commend the teams on the ground for the progress achieved under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions,” Dimpane said. “The recovery of the 14 bodies is a significant development in this operation, but it also underscores the seriousness and complexity of the circumstances we are dealing with.”

The acting commissioner said the deployment of additional specialised capacity is intended to strengthen operations in the North West province and ensure every aspect is approached with the necessary professionalism, expertise and sensitivity.

Arrangements are underway for formal identification of the deceased and post-mortem examinations. The SAPS Victim Identification Unit, detectives and forensic specialists are coordinating these processes to establish identities and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The nationalities of the deceased remain unknown as identification processes continue.

Multi-departmental investigation underway

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is conducting an assessment of the mining operation and the compliance status of the site. SAPS is working closely with the department and other stakeholders to assess the mine environment and gather information that may assist in establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Dimpane urged all members of the investigation team to remain focused on evidence-led investigations in resolving this complex case.

“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,” Dimpane said.

“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.”

The disaster occurred approximately 100km northwest of Johannesburg, where thousands of unregistered miners known as “zama zamas” operate across South Africa’s mineral-rich regions, scavenging abandoned mines for gold and other minerals in arduous and often perilous conditions.

ALSO READ: UPDATE | Rockfall at illegal mine kills 14 workers near Rustenburg

Weekly arrests fail to stem the tide

Despite authorities arresting scores of illegal miners each week, the crisis shows no signs of abating. The miners come from across southern Africa, driven by poverty and unemployment, and the sector has been linked to organised crime, assassinations, extortion and other illegal activities.

Insiders suggest that fatalities amongst illegal miners occur far more frequently than official records reflect, with many deaths in abandoned shafts going unreported and bodies sometimes never recovered from crumbling tunnels deep underground.

New bill proposes harsh penalties for illegal mining

In a development that could significantly alter the landscape of illegal mining enforcement, government has opened a new bill for public comment that will impose harsh fines and imprisonment on those found guilty of illegal mining activities.

The proposed legislation represents a tougher stance on the crisis that has plagued South Africa’s mining regions for years, with authorities hoping that stricter penalties will serve as a deterrent to the thousands who continue to risk their lives in abandoned shafts.

The bill is now open for public comment, with details on the specific penalties and imprisonment terms expected to be finalised following the consultation period. The move comes as pressure mounts on government to address the root causes of illegal mining whilst simultaneously protecting the lives of those drawn into the dangerous trade by desperate economic circumstances.

Critics have questioned whether harsh penalties alone will address a problem fundamentally driven by poverty and lack of economic opportunities across the region.

ALSO READ: Government proposes harsh penalties for illegal mining as death toll mounts