Trapped during the heavy rains that hit Limpopo on Friday, eight illegal miners who were digging chrome in Ga-Maroga village in Burgersfort,Limpopo suffocated underground.Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the illegal miners, one a South African, three Mozambicans and four Zimbabweans were busy mining when the rain water pushed the soil inside the hole and blocked the only point they were using for entry and exit. They allegedly suffocated.The police say they were called last night and on arrival they found that the local community members had already dug a hole and gained access to the miners and they were retrieving the bodies.

 CHARGES AGAINST THE DECEASED 

 Mojapelo said they have laid charges in terms of the Immigration Act against the seven deceased as they were in the country illegally. A case of illegal mining will also be registered against all of them.The police opened an inquest docket.

WARNING TO ZAMA ZAMAS

 Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has warned community members to desist from engaging in illegal mining activities as this is unsafe and also against the law." As a province, we have established a team to deal with illegal mining activities around especially in the areas along the R37 road in Sekhukhune District and many illegal miners have been arrested and mining equipment confiscated," Hadebe said.