Masemola to monitor rescue operation of illegal miners in Sabie

Illegal miners rescued at Sabie Mine in Mpumalanga on December 5, 2024.

2 minutes

A ninth miner has been brought to the surface while 150 miners are still feared to be trapped in an abandoned mine at Sabie in Mpumalanga.

Premier Mandla Ndlovu is at the scene as rescue operations continue.

Mpumalanga police say additional equipment has been secured to fast-track rescue attempts at the mine.

Operations resumed on Thursday morning after it was temporarily suspended yesterday evening due to safety concerns.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is also expected in Mpumalanga.

At least three bodies and eight other miners were brought to the surface. One of the rescued miners had a broken arm.

More than a hundred miners remain underground.

The rescued miners have told the police that armed men are forcing them to mine gold under difficult conditions.

Police and emergency services were using a rope and pulley to bring the miners to the surface through a small hole.

National Police Spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe says Masemola and his delegation will later visit the Stilfontein Mine in the North West where five bodies have been retrieved since Tuesday.

#sapsHQ [HAPPENING TODAY] The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola will lead a delegation of senior officers to Sabie in Mpumalanga and Stilfontein in the North West to monitor ongoing Vala Umgodi ops. The delegation will receive an update on ongoing operations… pic.twitter.com/kRvoiVWOoW

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 5, 2024