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Shaft 10 at Stilfontein mine in the North West where the bodies of illegal miners were being retrieved by police is pictured on 25 November 2025.
Thirty unclaimed bodies, which were retrieved from underground in Stilfontein, North West, last year, are being buried on Tuesday in Klerksdorp.
The North West Health Department has confirmed that they are being buried as paupers.
In previous interviews, the department said it would store some swabs from the bodies in case some families come later to claim them and there’s a need for DNA tests.
The bodies were retrieved during a government led operation to retrieve illegal miners from underground at shaft 11 in Stilfontein.
The department says 20 more bodies will be buried at the end of the month.
By April, SABC News had reported that families had identified only around 12 of the bodies of the illegal miners.
Department of Health Spokesperson Tshegofatso Mothibedi has since encouraged those who might have family members whom they cannot account for to step forward.
VIDEO | Stilfontein mine deaths | Only 12 bodies have been identified:
