By A Correspondent
A total of 33 Zimbabwean nationals are among 246 illegal miners who were retrieved and arrested during the South African government’s ongoing extraction operation at an abandoned mine in Stilfontein, North West. The operation, which began on Monday, has already led to the recovery of numerous miners and fatalities from the site.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the National Police spokesperson, confirmed the figures, stating that the operation at Shaft 11 of the old Buffelsfontein gold mine has been both intense and tragic. “A total of 78 dead bodies of illegal miners have been recovered at Shaft 11 of the old Buffelsfontein gold mine,” Mathe said, highlighting the scale of the illegal mining operation and the dangers miners face.
A breakdown of those arrested reveals a significant cross-border issue, with 128 Mozambicans, 80 Lesotho nationals, 33 Zimbabweans, and five South Africans among the detained individuals. On Monday, 26 miners were retrieved alive, and nine bodies were recovered. The following day, 106 more alive miners were found and arrested, alongside 51 additional bodies.
The operation, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), aims to combat illegal mining, a dangerous and illegal activity that has been escalating in the country. Before the operation began, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu reported that over 1,576 illegal miners had been arrested between August 2024 and January 12, 2025. These arrests included nationals from neighboring countries, such as 997 Mozambicans, 427 Zimbabweans, and 118 Basotho.
Mchunu further confirmed that 121 illegal miners had been deported, including 80 Mozambicans, 30 Basotho, 10 Zimbabweans, and one Malawian.
Additionally, 46 individuals have already been found guilty of illegal mining and related offenses, with court sentences including a fine of R12,000 or six months of suspended imprisonment for five years, provided they do not commit similar offenses.
On Wednesday, the operation continued with 114 miners being retrieved alive, while 18 bodies were recovered.
As the operation nears its conclusion, Mathe stated that the South African Police Service is working alongside Mines Rescue Services to confirm whether there are any remaining illegal miners underground. “The Mines Rescue Service has confirmed that they will send the cage underground in the morning (Thursday) to see if any illegal miners resurface with the cage,” Mathe explained.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely and have assured the public that updates will be provided on Thursday morning regarding the continuation of the extraction operation. This incident has once again drawn attention to the risks of illegal mining, particularly in abandoned mines, and the strain it places on both the safety of the miners and the resources of the South African government.