UPDATE | Six dead zama zamas retrieved from illegal mine near Sabie
150 more remain alive, trapped underground.
Six bodies had been retrieved from an illegal mine shaft in which more than 150 zama zamas are trapped, by late afternoon on Wednesday, December 4.
It was initialy reported that only three zama zamas were dead inside the illegal mine.
Reliable sources forming part of the rescue operation have revealed that the operation is extremely complex.
We have been able to retrieve one body at a time. So far six bodies have been extracted from the shaft,” said a source.
The source reported that the number of zama zamas who had escaped the mine by yesterday (Tuesday, November 3) stood at six.
Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the provincial police spokesperson, earlier said the security guards patrolling the area came across four zama zamas running for their lives.
ALSO READ: Zama zama bosses reportedly keep more than 150 as forced labourers in illegal Sabie mine
“The men told the guards that they had escaped from the illegal mine in which more than 150 others were trapped,” said Mdhluli.
Two other zama zamas were successfully rescued, in addition to the four.
These zama zamas alleged that illegal mine bosses from Lesotho forced most of them into slavery.
“They are forced to extract gold-bearing rocks as hard labourers, against their will,” said the source.
Meanwhile, another source revealed that members of the South African National Defence Force have been deployed to the scene.
ALSO READ: Shoot-out in Sabie leaves three zama zamas dead and one SAPS officer injured
“The army is here to assist, but we are experiencing a very tough situation. The operation is not progressing fast enough because the special rescue teams are not yet here,” said a second source.
“Also, as we go into the evening we will find it more difficult to continue with the operation. We don’t have any choice but to soldier on,” he said.
The source added that the rescue operations might take days to complete.
The clothing of the zama zamas who escaped from the mine yesterday was wet.
They were also hungry and the police organised food for them and made fire to warm them up.
