South African health authorities are preparing to conduct pauper’s funerals for 66 unclaimed bodies discovered earlier this year in an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, North West province, a senior official has confirmed.
Tshegofatso Mothibedi, spokesperson for the province’s Health Department, said only 12 of the 78 bodies recovered from the mine in January have been identified by relatives. The remaining corpses may be buried as early as next month if they remain unclaimed.
“In line with the National Health Act 61 of 2003 and Regulation 43 governing forensic pathology services, bodies that remain unclaimed for over 30 days may be buried by the local municipality or the state,” Mothibedi told local media on Wednesday.
However, due to the sensitive nature of the case and indications that some of the deceased may be migrants from neighboring countries, authorities delayed the burial process to allow time for potential identification. “We understand that families may be located beyond Stilfontein, and even outside South Africa, so we’ve held off. But by next month, the process of pauper’s funerals will begin,” he said.
Efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining individuals. Mothibedi emphasized that authorities are working with police to encourage communities to come forward with information that could help reunite families with their loved ones.
The 78 bodies were found in January along with 246 survivors in the depths of one of South Africa’s abandoned gold mines. While the exact causes of death have not been confirmed, civil rights organizations believe many perished from starvation and dehydration while trapped underground.
The identification process has been complicated by logistical challenges and the fact that many of the victims’ families may reside far from Stilfontein or even beyond South African borders. Provincial officials are urging communities and international partners to assist in locating relatives before the burial deadline is reached.