A second illegal miner who resurfaced at the abandoned shaft 11 in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp in the North West, has passed away.
According to the provincial Department of Health, the deceased passed away on Thursday, due to a medical-related condition.
“The Department of Health in the North West can confirm the death of another patient who was part of a cohort of 33 suspected illegal miners, admitted at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital complex.
The deceased, identified as Jonny Shingani, was admitted at the facility on the 14th of this month, following a successful extraction of illegal miners underground by National Rescue Operation, at the disused mines in Stilfontein last week,” said the department spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi.
The department said 246 suspected illegal miners were medically assessed by its healthcare professionals, before they were handed over to the police, while 33 were admitted for further medical care from the three-day National Rescue Operation.
The department has stressed that its healthcare professionals remain committed to saving lives.
“This, became evident when 14 of the 32 remaining patients were treated, discharged from the facility and handed over to the police, for criminal proceedings.
Currently, the department only has 17 admitted patients from the Stilfotein’s extraction,” explained Mothibedi.
In addition, the department emphasised that it’ll not disclose the patients’ personal information, including “medical condition treated for, and their current medical status amongst others.”
It said this is in line with its stringent adherence to the National Health Act, of 2003, that emphasises rights of patients’ confidentiality.
