The tragic death toll from the Stilfontein rescue operation has deeply shocked South Africa, as more heartbreaking stories of suffering and survival emerge from illegal miners who endured horrific conditions underground.
Patrick, who spent four months trapped in the Buffelsfontein mine, shared his experience after police blocked food and medical supplies during Operation Vala Mgodi in August.
Speaking from his home in Khuma, he described surviving three weeks without food, surviving on salt water while others ate cockroaches.
“I regret the day I set foot there. I saw people starve to death around me. I was just waiting for my turn,” he said. The emotional toll of hunger and living among the dead has left him traumatised.
Patrick recalled walking for days underground, surrounded by the bodies of the dead, before finally escaping through Shaft 10. “I am mentally exhausted. I would never go back there. Now I have a criminal record,” he added.
Since the rescue mission began on Monday, 78 bodies have been recovered, and 216 miners have been saved.
Mandla Charles, a former illegal miner turned rescuer, spoke about the desperation of those trapped. On “Clement Manyathela Show”, he said, “They even fight to be the first in the cage. They saw us as their gods coming to rescue them.”
Many of the deceased are believed to have died from starvation, while some endured extreme conditions, including months without the ability to relieve themselves.
Dr Angelique Coetzee explained that prolonged starvation can lead to hallucinations, organ failure, and death, especially in confined, humid environments.
Families of the trapped miners are in deep distress. Nozililo Santho, who hasn’t seen her son since April, continues to pray for his safety but fears the worst. Zinzi Tom, who is calling for government intervention, remains hopeful her brother is still alive.
Lawyers for Human Rights have criticised the government’s handling of the crisis, calling it a preventable human rights disaster.
“We characterise this situation as a human rights crisis, which we believe was entirely preventable. So what we are seeing is the unfolding of a crisis which we believe is a consequence of the operation implemented by the police and was preventable and avoidable,” Senior attorney Jessica Lawrence said.
The rescue operation is ongoing, but the emotional scars from this tragedy will likely last for many years.
