| 2025/01/16 |
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Media Statement by North West Department of Health Stilfotein: Officials of the Department of Health have wrapped up a week-long on-site support operation at the National Rescue Operation that has just ended today, 16 January 2025 – at the disused Stilfotein mine, in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district . The Department’s on-site successful operation comprised of different specialists health-care professionals led by acting Deputy Director General for Hospitals and Clinical Support, Agisanang Portia Tlou, Chief Director for Hospitals and Clinical Support Services Zenzo Ndabula, and Chief Director for Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district, Phil Maboe. The operation oversaw the care of the extracted sickly illegal miners at Department’s medical facilities before being handed over to SAPS for arrests. The operation also involved the processing, transportation and storage of bodies of those that have perished underground. Of the illicit miners – only nine (9) have been admitted under the Department’s care for further medical check-ups, under police guard, the rest are in police custody. Commenting on the operation, MEC Sello Lehari lauded officials – as dispatched on site by the Superintendent General, Obakeng Mongale – saying they have shown unwavering commitment and have gone beyond the call of duty. “Operations like these ones are complex, especially when they involved such a huge number. All of the over 1900 illegal miners passed through the hands of our medical personnel, before being handed over to SAPS. They have done so well. The work on those bodies have started in earnest, and I really am proud of the work done so far. We are not done, we will now work on bodies at our mortuaries” exclaimed MEC Sello Lehari.
Summery: From : Monday, 13 January 2025 – 15 January 2025 ( Monday – Thursday) Two hundred and forty-six (246 ) individuals were brought to the surface from underground and assessed by medical personnel from the Department of Health – before being handed over to SAPS for criminal processing. The operation also saw the extraction of seventy-eight (78) bodies which have been inimitably handled by our Forensic Pathology Services within the department. Some of the bodies had stayed for days and unfortunately are in a mortified state.
The Department reiterates its earlier call to members of the public and media to guard against disinformation and misinformation, and afford government to handle this sensitive matter with all tenets required.
Enquiries:
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