STILFONTEIN, South Africa — On Wednesday, South African authorities concluded a rescue mission at an abandoned gold mine, asserting that all survivors had been brought to safety and all bodies retrieved. This operation followed months of illegal mining activities, trapping numerous miners in one of the nation’s deepest mines.
According to police reports, 78 miners have been confirmed dead, while 246 individuals were rescued alive. Orchestrated efforts by civic organizations suggested that many of the victims likely succumbed to starvation or dehydration, though official causes of death remain undisclosed. Reports indicate that the actual number of fatalities could be higher, as community groups recovered nine bodies before official rescue operations commenced. Additionally, sporadic extrications of miners and bodies had occurred through community-led initiatives over the past year.
The unexpected conclusion of the rescue effort came a day after the police minister hinted at an extended operation, potentially lasting into the following week. Maj.-Gen. Patrick Asaneng, the acting police commissioner for North West province, announced that a final inspection of the mine would occur the next day. This abrupt end to the rescue has sparked outrage, regarding the government’s previous decision to cut off supplies to the miners as a means of coercion.
Critics argue that this tactic effectively left many miners to suffer and die underground. Asaneng noted that some miners had been trapped in the mine since August, while relatives conveyed that others had been there even earlier, with assurances that those rescued would face charges for illegal mining and trespassing.
An independent inquiry has been requested by South Africa’s second-largest political party, part of the coalition government, to investigate the reasons behind the dire circumstances the miners faced. Authorities initiated the rescue operation on Monday in adherence to a recent court order, which mandated that action be taken. A specialized mining rescue firm was enlisted to lower a small cage down the mine shaft, but due to safety concerns, no personnel from the firm ventured underground; instead, two volunteers from the community descended to assist.
The volunteers stated there were no remaining survivors or bodies uncovered during their Wednesday exploration, yet Mzukisi Jam, a spokesperson for the South African National Civics Organisation, claimed there were additional bodies in a different shaft and pressed authorities for a resolution regarding them. “What are we going to tell the relatives?” he questioned during an interview on Newzroom Afrika.
The mine, which reaches a depth of 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles), consists of various shafts, multiple levels, and an intricate network of tunnels. One civic group estimated that over 500 miners were present underground at the beginning of the rescue operation, with police rescuing 324 combined bodies and survivors.
Earlier in November, the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine was marked by a standoff as police attempted to force miners out by cutting off their water and food supplies. A court’s intervention mandated that supplies be allowed in, but civic organizations contended that the efforts fell short, citing that the miners continued to be deprived of basic necessities, creating a perilous situation.
Authorities claimed that some miners had the opportunity to exit through alternative shafts, but many opted to stay due to apprehensions about arrest. Activists reported that escape routes were fraught with danger, and most were too weak or ill to attempt the challenging journey after prolonged exposure with limited resources. Police justified their actions as part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal activities, additionally noting a seizure of gold, explosives, firearms, and more than $2 million in cash from the miners during the operation. They emphasized that most of those involved were foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho residing in South Africa unlawfully.
Weekend footage released by a civic organization depicted the bleak conditions within the mine. Two videos, purportedly filmed by a miner, showcased what appeared to be numerous deceased bodies lined up in a dark space and wrapped in plastic. The individual recording urged authorities to provide assistance and food to those still trapped.
Government tactics last year have drawn significant criticism, particularly the strategy of cutting off supplies in an attempt to “smoke them out,” as articulated by a Cabinet minister, who refrained from extending help due to the miners being labeled as “criminals.” Rights groups condemned this approach, with the country’s second-largest trade union federation denouncing it as “one of the most horrific displays of state willful negligence in recent history.”
Despite heightened local outrage, the overall reaction across South Africa has remained muted, even as the issue of illegal mining frequently surfaces in the media. Many of these miners descend into defunct mines to unearth leftover resources, with around 6,000 abandoned mines estimated across the nation. Since last August, authorities have detained over 1,500 individuals for illegal mining activities in the Stilfontein region, highlighting the government’s stringent stance toward the miners, often referred to as “zama zamas” which translates to “hustlers” or “chancers” in Zulu. They are frequently associated with criminal networks that reportedly rob the country of more than $1 billion annually in gold.
