Mystery of alleged Marikana mass grave site deepens as probe shows no link to state facilities
Community members have called on the Rustenburg municipality to provide clarity over speculation the bodies may have previously been stored at a local mortuary.
In a statement the department said it had initiated an internal inquiry and engaged relevant officials, including district and sub-district managers and the provincial forensic pathology services. The interactions were aimed at establishing the origin and authenticity of the reported graves.
The department said after consultations there was no evidence linking the graves to any of its facilities.
'All burial sites used by provincial health facilities are officially provisioned either by the Madibeng local municipality or the Rustenburg local municipality. Facility managers at Brits and Phokeng hospitals have indicated they have no knowledge of the graves or any related burial activity linked to their facilities,' it said.
'The department can confirm the graves circulating on social media are in no way linked to the North West department of health. The department has never procured or used burial sites in Marikana.'
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