Minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe has called for a full investigation into the tragedy. He arrived at Ekapa Minerals on Monday (23/3) following the recovery of the bodies of all five mine workers. Two more were brought to the surface on Sunday.

The remains of one miner were found about two weeks ago after the group was trapped in a mudslide. The men were trapped 890m underground since a mud rush incident on Tuesday, 17 February.

“The information we have is that they have informed the families. There will be identification. The government will help with the funerals of the miners,” said Mantashe.

“I assume our health and safety, and the police will be involved in conducting DNA tests, post-mortem, so that you can identify those people as the right people.”

Northern Cape police spokesperson Cherelle Ehlers said Kimberley detectives are investigating an inquest after the remaining bodies of two adult males were recovered. “The investigation continues.”

The mine had applied for liquidation and closed on Wednesday, 25 February, with immediate effect.

The decision was not taken lightly, it said, but was considered in the best interests of all stakeholders. It cited operational, financial, and safety factors as reasons.

More than a thousand workers have lost their jobs and have not been paid their February salaries due to the liquidation. The mine will be under provisional liquidation until Friday, 17 April, when legal proceedings continue in the high court sitting in Kimberley.

“We concluded in the early hours of this morning. We took out all the people who were missing during the mudslide that occurred, and it was for us to conclude and give closure to the families,” said Mine Rescue Services CEO Mannas Fourie.

Mine workers’ union Numsa Kimberley organiser Lerato Mohatlane said: “As Numsa, we are relieved that the first part is now done. We wish these families strength during this period and we believe that the struggle for the liquidation process continues as we will be back at court on 17 April.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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