Zama zama bosses reportedly keep more than 150 as forced labourers in illegal Sabie mine

An rescue operation is under way to save more than 150 souls trapped in an illegal mine in the dense Sabie plantation, forced into illegal mining by a group of zama zamas.

The rescue operation follows last week’s gun battle between the police and some zama zamas. Three zama zamas were shot dead, while a cop sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was hospitalised.

“This mini war resulted in the cutting of food supply to the other people who were underground. We are told there are more than 150 of them in the illegal mine, and that most of them were forced to work as slaves down there,” said a source who did not want to be identified. “We understand there are three zama zamas who are dead inside the mine shaft, and that the zama zama bosses who control the rest are armed to the teeth, but as things stand, we believe they will have to surrender, because there’s no food going down at the moment.”

According to another source on the scene, the rescue operation started yesterday, Tuesday, December 3, and resulted in the rescuing of six captives. He said the operation was suspended overnight while they waited for more specialised rescue teams to arrive this morning.

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“Five of the rescued captives are from Zimbabwe, and one is from Lesotho. They looked very hungry, tired and cold as their clothing was wet. Fire was made for them to dry up, and some police members had to organise food for them,” said the source.

The source said the rescued captives had informed the police about the three dead zama zamas in the mineshaft.

When contacted for comment, a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said he was in a meeting and requested a written inquiry.

Mdhluli later replied. “We can confirm the operation and that three zama zamas were reportedly dead. Six captives were already outside the illegal mine,” said Mdhluli.