
Stilfontein – Authorities have retrieved at least six bodies from abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein, North West, amidst fears that hundreds of illegal miners are trapped or unable to reach the surface.
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola announced that six bodies had been recovered, while a total of 26 miners successfully resurfaced from various nearby shafts.
“In the last 24 hours, six deceased individuals have been recovered in Stilfontein. This tragic loss of life highlights the dangerous and life-threatening conditions that these illegal miners face,” stated General Masemola.
He added that autopsies will be carried out to determine the causes of death for the illegal gold miners.
“At least 26 illegal miners have surfaced from different shafts in the Stilfontein region over the past 48 hours,” General Masemola reported.
Furthermore, he mentioned that over 1,387 illegal miners have come to the surface in recent weeks.
Police have been stationed at the exits of the shafts to arrest illegal miners as they emerge.
The apprehended individuals include 919 from Mozambique, 382 from Zimbabwe, 65 from Lesotho, and 13 South Africans.
General Masemola announced that the Pretoria high court modified its previous ruling requiring police to provide food and water to illegal miners underground earlier on Thursday.

“As of today, changes have been made to this order,” General Masemola stated.
“Food and water will now be distributed from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 16:00. No supplies will be delivered on weekends.
“Additionally, hazardous materials such as paraffin, gas, and diesel will no longer be permitted to be taken down to the illegal miners.”
General Masemola also revealed that police are looking into possible cases of human trafficking.
“We are investigating allegations of child and human trafficking, as many individuals who resurfaced reported being brought here under false pretenses of job opportunities,” General Masemola disclosed.
“They were subsequently held against their will and forced into illegal gold mining for their captors.
“Reports suggest that some of these armed traffickers are keeping many of these illegal miners hostage underground.”
“It is imperative that everyone vacates these dilapidated and abandoned mines, and we are actively exploring solutions to achieve this goal.”
General Masemola stressed that the recent arrests of key figures show the police’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable.
“Two illegal mining leaders, Joacham Chivayo, a Zimbabwean national, and Ayanda Gungwa, a South African national, were arrested by the Hawks at a luxury estate last Tuesday,” General Masemola explained.
“They were found in possession of R15 million worth of unwrought gold.
“They have already appeared in Brakpan Magistrate’s Court and have been charged with violating the Precious Metals Act.”