Four Zimbabwean nationals are among the eight illegal miners who died following a collapse at an illegal chrome mine due to heavy rains at Driekop near Burgersfort in Limpopo.
Police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo said the bodies were retrieved on Saturday.
He said the bodies had been trapped at Ga-Maroga village on Friday.
Of the victims, one is South African, three Mozambican and four Zimbabwean nationals.
Police believe the zama-zamas were trapped after soil and water flowed into the entrance and exit points.
A Zama-Zama (plural zama-zamas) is a person who works illegally in abandoned mineshafts in order to retrieve metals or minerals. Makorokoza or illegal miners in Zimbabwe. Investigations are continuing.