Police have sought out to clarify what it describes as misinformation and lies, following the aftermath of the rescue operation at the abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West.
According to the police, top of the list is the dissemination of personal information of suspects arrested at the mine during the operation and the deceased.
Police said the list was shared with two community leaders, to ensure transparency with communities but to also ensure that community members assist the police in finding the next of kin of those involved in the illegal mining operations.
“The SAPS has since learnt with dismay that these lists which include names, nationalities and birth dates have been widely shared on various social media platforms.
The SAPS is therefore investigating the sharing of suspects personal information in public,” read a statement from the police.
Moreover, the police have dismissed allegations that its members ‘blasted’ shaft 10, to ensure that no illegal miners re-enter the shaft to continue with their activities.
This as the government and previous mine owners, have been criticised for not ensuring that the mines are sealed, to deter zama zamas.
“The SAPS upon receipt of such an allegation, instructed its explosives team to inspect shaft 10 for any sign of explosion.
It was found that no such blasting or bombing as is referred to, took place.
The SAPS reminds those behind this peddling, that according to the explosives act 26 of 1956 section 27 (1A), it is an offense to communicate false information regarding any explosion or alleged explosion,” added the statement.
The SAPS emphasised that it is engaging with its legal team on a way forward.
Meanwhile, police have also dismissed allegations that they have arrested one of the volunteers, Mzwandile Mkwayi, who helped the rescue team retrieve illegal and deceased miners during the operation.
Police said the volunteer is a parolee and allegedly contravened his parole conditions, adding that he’s not in police custody.
For its part, the Department of Correctional Services, has released a statement, seeking to clarify that Mkwayi was not arrested or detained by its officials.
The department said he was instead taken to the Klerksdorp Community Corrections Office for administrative purposes, as he is currently a parolee and violated his parole.
According to the department, Mkwayi has been on parole since 15 April 2021, and that his sentence, which commenced following a conviction for murder on 16 September 2013, is set to expire on 15 September 2028.
“Mkwayi violated his parole conditions by leaving his designated jurisdiction without prior notification or approval from his monitoring officials.
Adherence to jurisdictional boundaries is a critical aspect of parole conditions to ensure proper monitoring.
He also engaged with media outlets without securing prior authorization, which constitutes another breach of his parole conditions,” read a statement from the department.
The department said it has issued a formal warning to Mkwayi for these violations, that he remains on parole and will continue to be monitored in accordance with the conditions of his parole placement until the sentence expiry date.
