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Shaft 11 of a disused mine at Stilfontein.
North West police say more illegal miners are continuing to emerge from underground at different disused shafts in Stilfontein.
Government says it needs R7.8 million to bring all the illegal miners to the surface.
Several illegal miners have been arrested so far.
Spokesperson Adele Myburgh says officers have arrested 12 of them since Monday.
“Since Monday 30 December 2024 until today, 12 illegal miners were placed under arrest for illegal mining, trespassing and contravention of the Immigration Act in Stilfontein. on Monday, six illegal miners resurfaced in Stilfontein at Margaret Shaft and on Thursday 2 January 2025, four more resurfaced at Margaret Shaft; and two at Buffelsfontein Shaft number 10.”
Evading arrest
Meanwhile, government has since said that the delayed emergence from underground by illegal miners at Stilfontein appears to be a tactic to avoid arrest.
In a statement, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) says evidence suggests that the miners have had access to food supplies until recently. This comes amid claims that those still underground have resorted to cannibalism to survive.
The NATJOINTS statement says reports indicate that any supplies reaching the miners are controlled by underground syndicates, often leading to unequal distribution and exploitation.
The statement also says police established designated exit points for the illegal miners and they are not being trapped underground by officers.
Government says it remains steadfast in combating illegal mining and is also taking measures to address the socio-economic factors that can lead to illegal mining.
On the other hand, continued delays in bringing out the illegal miners from underground in Stilfontein’s Shaft 11 are causing grave concern among human rights activists, who warn that the death toll could rise.
