Stilfontein – At least six bodies have been retrieved from abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein, North West, where hundreds of illegal miners are believed to be trapped or unable to surface for other reasons.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on Thursday, (5 December 2024), said six bodies had been retrieved and at least 26 miners had surfaced from various shafts in the area.
“In the last 24 hours, six dead bodies have been retrieved in Stilfontein, the loss of life is regrettable and highlights the dangerous and unsafe conditions in which these illegal miners operate,” lamented General Masemola.
He said post-mortems will be carried out to determine the cause of the deaths of the illegal gold miners.
“At least 26 illegal miners have resurfaced from various shafts in the last two days in the Stilfontein area,” said General Masemola.
He said more than 1 387 illegal miners have resurfaced in recent weeks.
Police have been stationed at exit points of the shafts to arrest the illegal miners as they surface.
Those arrested include 919 Mozambicans, 382 Zimbabweans, 65 Basotho, and 13 South Africans.
General Masemola said the high court in Pretoria earlier on Thursday varied its previous order instructing the police to send food and water supplied to the illegal miners underground.
“As of today, limitations have been put into place in terms of this order,” said General Masemola.
“Food and water will now be supplied from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 16:00. No food will be lowered on weekends.
“Hazardous substances including paraffin, gas, and diesel will no longer be allowed to be lowered down to the illegal miners.”
General Masemola also revealed that the police were probing possible human trafficking allegations.
“We are investigating elements of child and human trafficking where the majority of those that have resurfaced have indicated that they were brought here under false pretences of job opportunities,” said General Masemola.
“They were thereafter kept against their will and made to illegally mine gold for their bosses.
“We are told that some of their bosses who are heavily armed are underground keeping the majority of these illegal miners hostage.
“One thing is clear, is that everyone must come out from these disused and abandoned mines and we are all devising means to ensure this is realised.”
General Masemola said the recent arrest of kingpins showcased the police’s commitment to hold those responsible to account.
“Two illegal mining kingpins, Joacham Chivayo, a Zimbabwean national, and Ayanda Gungwa, a South African national, were arrested by the Hawks at an upmarket estate last week Tuesday,” said General Masemola.
“The pair was found with R15 million worth of unwrought gold.
“They have already appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s court and have been charged with contravening the Precious Metals Act.”
