Trapped miners in Stilfontein: Rains halt rescue efforts

Thembile Botman, the leader of the Stilfontein community, informed the media on Wednesday that contact was made on Tuesday with the illegal miners, known locally as zama zamas. Many are dehydrated because they have been in the mine corridors for an extended period without food and water.

Some miners are unwell and unable to move, and Botman confirmed that there are bodies underground as well. The residents of Stilfontein had been assisting the trapped miners for several days by providing them with water and food, but heavy rains have hindered access to the shaft.

Police are stationed at the surface, having secured all possible exits from the mine. Their spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, mentioned that the miners could emerge at any moment.

He added that since 18 October, over a thousand zama zamas have voluntarily surrendered to the police when their water and food supplies were depleted. They have been charged with breaching the Immigration Act as most hail from Lesotho and Zimbabwe, along with charges of illegal mining activities.

Police are pursuing illegal miners who have been infiltrating unused and sealed gold, chrome, and platinum mines for years. The operation is codenamed Vala Umgodi. Since December 2023, over 13,691 individuals have been arrested across seven provinces.

In South Africa, illegal mineral extraction from closed mines has been on the rise for several years, fuelled by the country's deteriorating economic conditions, unemployment, and labour migration from neighbouring countries. According to South African police, illegal mining is closely linked to international gangs, and the zama zamas are often armed and not hesitant to engage in gunfire with the police.