The police in North West are still appealing to the families of the illegal miners whose bodies were retrieved from a disused mine in Stilfontein to come forward and identify them. According to provincial spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, officials are struggling to identify the remains of illegal miners. 

COME FORWARD

Mokgwabone said only five DNA samples have been taken from the miners' relatives so far, but the number of families coming forward remains low. He urged families of the suspected illegal miners to come forward with identification documents. "We started with the identification process on the 24th of February, so from then till now, only 35 deceased have been identified," he said. He added that they continue the processes and explained how they do it. "At the moment, we are taking DNA samples and sending them to forensics, and only after the results come from the lab and they've been matched with family members can we inform the next of kin of the positive or negative outcome."

PREVIOUS CASES

Mokgwabone said from the DNA samples of some of the illegal miners, they managed to identify seven who were previously arrested. "We have the names that they gave when they were arrested, but at this stage, we haven't been able to get their families to come to us. We urge families that suspect that their loved ones who've disappeared worked as zama zamas to come forward. As they come, they must bring along their identification documents because before we even take the DNA samples, they are interviewed by our investigation team," he added. Those who need more information on the process are asked to call Colonel Jacobs at 0823738216. Mokgwabone said they are so far sitting on 93, which is the number of people that died since being admitted to the hospital. He, however, said some have recovered and been discharged.