All were shot execution-style by who the police believe to be a rival gang.
On Saturday, June 21, five bodies of illegal miners were discovered near a disused Benoni Gold Mine shaft, in New Modder.
Three more were discovered the next day, with two being retrieved from under ground.
Seven had been shot in the head, one in the back, and the hands of some were tied behind their backs.
Several spent cartridges were also found on the scene.
Hundreds of residents watched as the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services retrieved two bodies from the mine shaft on Sunday.
The last man to be retrieved, just before 5pm, had been shot in the mouth.
Police found teeth believed to be his in the shaft and brought them to the surface, to be taken for DNA testing.
Surviving miners told the police that the shooting started underground on Friday night, when a rival gang pounced on them.
Police spokesman Capt Mack Mngomezulu said the bodies were first noticed by quad bikers early on Saturday morning.
“They then informed the mine security, who, in turn, notified the police,” said Mngomezulu.
The underground search was sparked by survivors who informed the police that there were more bodies underground.
No arrests have been made and police are investigating.
Gang rivalry is common in illegal mining in the area and those involved are said to be armed with assault rifles, including AK47s.
The circle apparently starts underground, where two groups, known as the Russians and the Swatis, are fighting each other for the right to mine.
They rob, kill and hold each other captive.
There is another group waiting above ground, to rob whoever emerges from the mine with gold.
In July, last year, five illegal miners were killed after being held hostage underground, by a rival gang, and at least 12 people survived with critical injuries, which included broken legs and backs.
This is after they were beaten, shot and pushed down steep shafts in Aurora Mine’s shaft nine.
In February, last year, three badly injured illegal miners landed in hospital when a fight erupted in Lindelani informal settlement.
This followed a fight which started underground, where one man was killed and other critically injured.
The other side of illegal mining involves miners being trapped underground.
Earlier this year, numerous miners were trapped down the shaft at the corner of Snake and Range View roads.
Ekurhuleni rescue teams and Mines Rescue Services toiled for hours to extract 11 men.
The police have long admitted that they are being challenged by illegal mining, saying they only get to know about it when something bad happens.
But residents, especially in Kingsway, dispute this, alleging the police are also involved.
