South African police are investigating the discovery of at least 21 bodies suspected to be illegal miners found near an active mine in the town of Krugersdorp west of Johannesburg. According to the police, 19 bodies were found on Wednesday afternoon, and then two more bodies were found on Thursday morning. The police also said they suspect the bodies were transported to the place where they were found, which is a privately owned mine. "We can confirm that our search and rescue team returned to the scene this morning, and during their search, they discovered two more bodies," police spokesperson Brenda Moridili said today, Thursday.

This horrific discovery is the latest in a series of incidents related to illegal mining in the Krugersdorp area. In July, eight women from a film crew were raped and robbed in an abandoned mine in the area while they were filming a music video. The incident sparked violent protests against illegal miners in neighboring communities.

Also, last week, rape and robbery charges against 14 men, who are also suspected of being illegal miners, were withdrawn after the police were unable to link them to the rapes through DNA evidence. The men were arrested during police raids at the abandoned mine where the rapes took place.

Illegal mining is widespread in South Africa, where miners locally known as "Zama Zamas" search for gold in many abandoned mines in the Johannesburg area and beyond, with Krugersdorp being a mining city located on the western outskirts of Johannesburg. Furthermore, illegal mining gangs are considered dangerous by the police, usually armed and known for violent battles over influence with competing groups. This trade is believed to be dominated by migrants who illegally enter from neighboring countries Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

The fourteen men who had rape and robbery charges dropped against them are accused of being in South Africa illegally and have been charged with immigration-related offenses.