Driekop: Four ‘illegal miners’ die as dump truck capsizes over mountain
Police say six alleged illegal miners were in the vehicle and four were killed instantly.
LIMPOPO – Police in Driekop have opened a case of culpable homicide following the death of four alleged illegal miners when the dump truck they were using at the site, swerved off the mountain and capsized.
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According to police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the incident happened at Mandagshoek, in the Mankgakganyane section over the weekend.
“Six illegal miners were in the vehicle when it swerved and overturned several times, instantly killing four males and seriously injuring two. The police were called to the scene, reacted swiftly and on arrival, the victims were found between huge rocks and in the wreckage. The injured were taken to hospital,” he said.
Police in Limpopo have thus far succeeded in dealing with incidents of illegal mining, which have largely been brought under control since the launch of provincial operations in May 2017 led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Crime Detection , Major General Bafana Linda.
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“Seventy illegal miners, including the kingpins, have already been arrested and mine equipment worth millions of rands were confiscated,” Mojapelo said.
Read more: Alleged illegal mining kingpins denied bail in Limpopo court
Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba, has once again warned communities, especially those along the R 37 road between Lebowakgomo and Burgersfort, to desist from engaging in acts of illegal mining.
“Apart from one facing possible arrest, there are some potential hazards and life threatening situations often associated with these activities. People should therefore stop this tendency,” said General Ledwaba.
Investigations into the cause of the accident and to make a determination whether the victims were indeed illegal miners have already commenced.
