60 Dead in South African Illegal Mining Tragedy
Authorities have confirmed the recovery of 60 bodies from an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, following months of efforts to clear out illegal miners.
The operation, which began on Monday, was prompted by community concerns that over 100 individuals may have perished in the mine located approximately 140 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.
By Tuesday, a total of 106 illegal miners, commonly referred to as zama zamas—a Zulu term meaning “those who try”—were rescued alive and subsequently arrested for illegal mining. Police reported that 51 additional bodies were retrieved, adding to the nine removed on the first day of operations.
The abandoned mine, which extends 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) underground, required the use of specialized equipment to extract both survivors and deceased individuals in small groups.
The zama zamas, often migrants from neighboring countries, face accusations of criminal activity from local residents. However, the true scale of the tragedy remains uncertain. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, during a visit to the site on Tuesday, refrained from estimating the number of individuals still underground.
“We cannot definitively state how many people remain inside the mine. Any figure we provide is purely speculative,” Mchunu remarked.
A video shared by Macua, an advocacy group for the miners, showed disturbing scenes of dozens of bodies wrapped in cloth within the mine’s chambers.
Since August, when authorities intensified efforts to address illegal mining in Stilfontein, more than 1,500 miners have been arrested, with 121 deported. Survivors rescued from the mine appeared severely emaciated, their legs reduced to little more than skin and bone.
Earlier attempts to cut off food and water to force miners out were halted by a court order in November, which allowed supplies to be lowered into the mine.
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by illegal mining in South Africa, including safety risks, legal battles, and the humanitarian crisis affecting those involved.
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