JOHANNESBURG - So far, five families have come forward to identify illegal miners who died in Stilfontein's abandoned mine shafts.
A total of 87 bodied have been recovered from the mine since last August.
Government says the others will receive pauper's burials if they remain unclaimed.
NGO Mining Affected Communities United in action believes that the zama zamas were starved to death and is calling for accountability.
READ: MEC to update on autopsy results of Stilfontein illegal miners
Meanwhile, police continue searching for James Neo "Tiger" Tshoaeli, the alleged ringleader of the illegal mining operation.
He reportedly emerged from a mine shaft during rescue operations in mid-January but never made it to police custody.
Authorities deny rumours he was killed, and four police officers have been arrested in connection with his disappearance.
- eNCA's Bafedile Moerane reports.