NUM calls for probe after unmarked grave found

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for police to investigate circumstances surrounding an unmarked grave near a mine clinic in the Northern Cape.

Spokesperson Tshepo Motsumi said in a statement that construction workers found the remains of a mineworker on Wednesday near the PrimCure Clinic at Assmang’s Blackrock mine in Kuruman.

“We call on the law-enforcement agencies to get to the bottom of this matter,” Motsumi said.

“The person was buried there in his underground uniform, which includes gumboots, hard hat, overalls and rain coat.

“Mine experts indicate that from the initial look of things, the body was buried less than five years ago,” Motsumi said.

He said NUM had repeatedly raised the issue of possible unmarked deaths at the clinic, which he said was refuted by mine management.

Assmang CEO Jan Steenkamp said he did not know anything about NUM raising the issue of unmarked deaths at the clinic.

He said he was “very, very concerned” about the allegations made by NUM.

“This is a normal case of a body being found and security and police have been informed and have opened a case.”

Steenkamp also said it was of the “utmost importance” to get to the bottom of the matter and that he would support any investigation “100%”.—Sapa