The deceased were believed to be illegal miners, and they found rotting bodies near an abandoned mine in Orkney.

South African police have launched an investigation into the bodies of 20 men who were found near an abandoned gold mine in the Northwestern Province.

According to a police statement issued on Wednesday, the bodies were found outside a mine and near railway tracks in Orkney, about 180 kilometers (111 miles) southwest of Johannesburg, some of which had been severely decomposed.

It also stated that the body “was found wrapped in a white plastic bag” and “severely burned.” The statement added that an autopsy will be performed.

The statement said: “All the dead are suspected of being illegal miners, usually called’zama zamas’, working in abandoned mines in Orkney and Stefanie.”

Police spokesperson Brigadier General Sabata Mokgwabone told AFP that “the first five bodies were found on Monday and 15 (more) bodies were found on Tuesday”.

Unidentified

According to the South African SABC News Broadcasting Corporation, the police have not yet determined the identities of these individuals.

“This is after an unconfirmed report over the weekend that some illegal miners were killed in an underground explosion,” it reported.

SABC quoted Mokgwabone as saying: “They are all male corpses. I can confirm that at this stage, they have not been confirmed. They have been severely decomposed and have severe burns. Our investigation is still ongoing and we hope to follow suit. The investigation progresses. We will be able to know who these people are and what may have caused this particular incident.”

According to the South African Human Rights Commission, thousands of “zama zamas”-meaning “those who try luck” in Zulu-conduct business in the country.

The mining industry employing nearly half a million people, contribution It accounted for about 8% of the country’s gross domestic product last year. However, more people are involved in illegal mining activities, most of which are run by criminal groups. Nearly 30 years since the end of white rule, nearly 50% of blacks still live in poverty.