Seven bodies retrieved at Stilfontein, two in Sabie

Police in North West say they have now retrieved seven bodies from the disused mine shaft in Stilfontein. Six more bodies were retrieved in the last 24 hours.

One body was retrieved last month.

The High Court in Pretoria granted an interim order, allowing for food to be delivered to those who are still underground. While food is being delivered through a makeshift structure at Shaft 11, some illegal miners are also emerging in other disused mine shafts.

Stilfontein | Residents start process of sending food to illegal miners:

Police Spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone says 26 illegal miners emerged from underground in recent hours.

“Total of 26 illegal miners resurfaced from underground at Margaret Shaft between Tuesday, 03 and Wednesday, 04 December 2024, as operation Vala Umgodi continues. Of this number, 11 resurfaced yesterday while 15 came out today. They include 14 Mozambicans, 11 Basotho and one South African. Meanwhile, a total of seven bodies have been retrieved since early November 2024, to date,” says Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, police in Mpumalanga say they are retrieving three bodies from an abandoned mine shaft in Sabie. 106 illegal miners are reported to be trapped underground.

At least six of the illegal miners have come to the surface.

Rescue operations are continuing.

Provincial Police Spokesperson Donald Mdhluli says the information the have puts the number of illegal miners that are still underground at approximately 150.

“According to the information was that there are still other about 150 of them that are trapped and they disparately need to come up, but they’re unable. So, hence this operation that has started to make sure that we bring them on board. Already there are six that have been brought to the surface and to that effect two bodies, the other one, just less than five minutes ago was retrieved. So, the second body … the third body is still underground, so they’re trying by all means to make sure that the bodies are brought to the surface,” he says.

Illegal Mining | Two bodies retrieved at Sabie Mine: