The Apel SAPS opened a case of inquest after the illegal miners were killed when a huge rock allegedly fell on them while manually mining chrome.

Limpopo SAPS spokesperson, Brig Motlafelo Mojapelo, said police were called and on arrival the bodies were seen trapped under a massive rock.

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“The police search and rescue unit and emergency medical services were then summoned to the scene and assisted in retrieving the bodies. This is after they managed to crush the rock.”

The deceased were identified as Wilson Chauke (34) from Atok Mohlahlaneng and Victor Moagi (51) from Moroke Village. The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo, Maj Gen Jan Scheepers, has warned all community members to desist from engaging in illegal mining as this is against the law and dangerous.