Authorities in Mpumalanga, South Africa have launched a large-scale operation to rescue around 150 illegal miners, known as zama zamas, believed to be trapped underground in a disused mine shaft in Sabie.
This follows the arrest of six miners who managed to escape from the site earlier this week.
By Wednesday evening, rescue teams had recovered three bodies from the mine, using ropes and spine board stretchers. The operation was temporarily halted before 8 pm and resumed on Thursday morning.
The six miners were arrested on Tuesday after being apprehended by security guards as they fled from the shaft.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that the miners disclosed the dire situation underground, revealing that others were trapped and that several had already died.
“According to the rescued individuals, they had been forced to work and mine for gold by their captors under dangerous and dire conditions. Tragically, three individuals lost their lives while trapped inside the mine shaft. In light of this incident, it is believed that the ones running this illegal operation could possibly be heavily armed,” he said.
One of the rescued miners described the harsh conditions, saying they had been held against their will and forced to dig for gold. He claimed food and water supplies had ceased for three weeks due to disputes among their captors, leaving the miners to drink contaminated water to survive.
Police and other rescue units, including private security and health officials, are working tirelessly to retrieve the trapped miners. This incident follows similar cases in Stilfontein, North West, where illegal mining operations have led to tragic outcomes.
