At least 33 zama zama captives have been rescued and brought to the surface out of the illegal mineshaft near Sabie today, Thursday, December 5.

This brings the total rescued since yesterday to 41.

The rescue operations had to be halted tonight due to visibility issues in the darkness.

ALSO READ: Video: Another 10 zama zama captives rescued from illegal mineshaft in Sabie

“It is expected the activities will start earlier so that more people can be retrieved,” said a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

The mine’s name is South Mine, Mdhluli added.

WATCH : The rescue mission of trapped Zama Zamas continues at Sabie, Mpumalanga. Eight illegal miners and three lifeless bodies were brought to the surface yesterday. About 150 are Ystill trapped underground.@dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/vYVZnqz8Ex

— Bulelwa Maphanga (@BulieeM) December 5, 2024

According to the information provided by the already rescued captives, over 120 of them are still being held captive below in the illegal mine.

Also read: National police commissioner and senior cops to join Sabie zama zama rescue operation

The national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, told the media that most of these zama zamas were foreign nationals without valid permits to be in South Africa. He said they would be processed, and if found to be without the necessary documentation, they would be charged with contravention of the Immigration Act.

“They will also be charged for mining without a licence,” he said.

Premier Mandla Ndlovu said he trusted the law enforcement agencies to deal with the situation. “I believe our law enforcement agencies are capable enough,” he told the journalists on the scene.

Today’s operation was faster and more methodical. It is believed that if it continues at this pace, it might be completed within five days.

16 illegal miners “retrieved” from the disused mine in Sabie, Mpumalanga.

📸 @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/KQZYdwDUom

— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) December 5, 2024

This illegal mineshaft was discovered on Tuesday after some security guards and the police’s K9 unit came across what seemed like four zama zamas running for their lives.

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

“After confronting them to establish what the problem was, the men revealed their ordeal, and that about 150 more were trapped inside the illegal mine. They even explained that most had been kidnapped and forced to extract gold from the mine. That resulted in the rescuing of two other captives and the retrieving of three bodies from the mine after a shoot-out. After an earlier shoot-out between some zama zamas and law enforcement agencies on November 28, the number of dead zama zamas now stands at six. Masemola confirmed that most of these zama zamas had been lured to come and work in the area as builders. “They were then captured at gunpoint and forced to work in the illegal mine,” he said.

Masemola said information suggests that some zama zama bosses were operating the illegal mining taking place at South Mine somewhere from outside.