MEC shocked by female miner's murder

2012-02-08 12:30

Mahikeng - North West human settlements MEC Desbo Mohono has called on the police to spare no effort in finding those responsible for the death of a female mineworker at the Khomanani mine in Rustenburg.

Mohono also appealed to employees to help the police's investigation.

"According to Anglo American Platinum preliminary investigations... the female employee was violently assaulted and died from the injuries," the department said on Wednesday.

Mohono said it was shocking that an employee could die such a "violent death" in a workplace.

"Whilst we are encouraged by the co-operation and determination of Anglo American Platinum to get to the bottom of the matter... we call on the company and other mining houses to review their safety plans to ensure that incidents of underground crime, more especially those involving women do not reoccur at any of our mines."

The woman was found in a pool of blood underground on Monday. A blood-stained stone and a lunch box were found next to her body. Police would conduct DNA analysis to determine whether she was raped.

- SAPA