A dramatic and harrowing operation to rescue illegal miners at Shaft 11 in Stilfontein, North West, has resulted in the retrieval of 246 individuals, with 78 bodies recovered so far. The operation, which began earlier this week, is a devastating reminder of the dangerous and often deadly conditions faced by miners working illegally in South Africa’s abandoned shafts. National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, confirmed the grim toll, revealing that the majority of the miners were from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with a small number from South Africa.
The details of the operation were revealed as the police and rescue teams worked tirelessly, with reports indicating that the situation underground was as perilous as it was tragic. According to Mathe, 128 of the miners were Mozambican nationals, 80 were Zimbabweans, and five were South African citizens. The miners’ identities are still being verified, and authorities are using advanced mine rescue technology to ensure all individuals are accounted for. “We will rely on the mine rescue service to confirm this with their state-of-the-art equipment,” Mathe said, adding that a cage would be sent underground in the morning to check if any miners are still trapped or if new ones emerge.
Though officials have not yet declared the operation complete, there is hope that this final effort will confirm the end of the search. Once rescued, those who require medical care are taken to health facilities, while those in good health are immediately detained for further processing. Both the Department of Police and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy emphasized that all illegal miners are being evaluated for their immigration status and nationality before being detained.
The tragic loss of life at Shaft 11 has prompted an outpouring of regret and calls for greater intervention. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu expressed his sorrow over the deaths, stating that the government had always been committed to assisting the miners and debunking any misconceptions about reluctance to carry out rescue operations. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Mchunu clarified, “We have never ever been unwilling to assist… There is no way we would have repeatedly gone there, spoke about this, and even the design of Operation Vala Umgodi never suggested directly or indirectly that the government is unwilling to assist people.”
Despite the ongoing danger, the operation has revealed both the scale of the crisis and the courage of the rescuers. As recovery efforts continue, authorities are facing the grim reality of the conditions illegal miners endure in abandoned, often unstable shafts. The final tally of the operation will be crucial not only in determining the full scope of the tragedy but also in addressing the ongoing issue of illegal mining, which remains a hazardous and costly problem for South Africa.
