Stilfontein – Bodies retrieved from an abandoned shaft in Stilfontein, in the North West, continue to pile up by the dozens.
Police revealed that on the second day of the mine rescue mission operation, at least 51 more bodies were retrieved from a 2km deep shaft and brought to the surface.
Rescued illegal miners, better known as Zama Zamas, had recently warned more than 100 bodies of dead artisanal miners were decaying underground.
On Monday, the first day of the rescue mission, at least nine bodies were retrieved from the abandoned shaft.
The grim task continued on Tuesday, (14 January 2025), using a cage that was lowered into the deep shaft.
Pathologists dressed in white hazmat suits, gloves, and face masks put the bodies in bags before they were carried away in a truck.
Curious residents and concerned family members watched from a distance as the rescue mission went on under the gaze of police officers who kept onlookers at bay.
By the time the operations stopped late on Tuesday at 22:00, 106 illegal miners had been rescued and brought to the surface.
On Monday, 26 Zama Zamas were rescued.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: “On day two of operations, a total of 106 alive illegal miners were retrieved and arrested for illegal mining… 51 were certified dead”.
Brigadier Mathe also detailed the nationalities of the rescued Zama Zamas and bodies retrieved.
Rescue day two: Breakdown of those rescued and arrested per nationality as follows:
- Mozambicans – 67
- Lesotho nationals – 26
- Zimbabweans – 11
- South Africans – 2
Rescue operations will resume Wednesday, (15 January 2025).
