Video: More captive zama zamas rescued from illegal Sabie mineshaft, 100s trapped

At least another 10 illegal miners were rescued from a mineshaft in Sabie earlier today.

They were famished, dirty, and tired when they were rescued. Reports suggest the mining operations are about 150m underground.

Attempts to rescue more captives are ongoing, with multidisciplinary teams, including soldiers, police, security guards, and a specialised unit, on the scene.

Lowvelder previously reported the rescue operation follows a gun battle that took place between the police and a group of zama zamas last week. Three zama zamas were shot dead, while a police officer was injured when he was shot in the leg.

“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.

Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu addressed the media at the rescue site earlier today. The operation appears to be progressing faster today due to special equipment brought in overnight.

By yesterday afternoon, three bodies had been retrieved from the illegal mine shaft in which hundreds of zama zamas are trapped.

Nearly 20 zama zama captives have been rescued since yesterday. The youngest was reported to be 17 years old.

The 10th captive rescued today said he had not eaten for two weeks.

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said on the scene that according to those that have resurfaced, there are more than 100 illegal miners that are still underground.

“It should be noted that all those who are retrieved will be arrested and face charges related to contravention of the immigration act and other illegal mining-related charges where applicable.”

Masemola said more resources are needed to rescue the remaining illegal miners.

He said that unlike the shafts in Stilfontein, which are several kilometres deep, the Sabie shaft is not as deep and rescues are therefore easier.

According to him, the operation needs to be handled with care and precision to save lives.

“Notwithstanding the illegality of these activities, the loss of life is deeply regretted. This further demonstrates and points out that illegal mining is not only hazardous and poses a challenge for neighbouring communities but also carries a lot of danger for those partaking in these illicit activities, as quite often illegal miners risk their lives to mine in unsafe and hazardous conditions.”

According to Masemola, Mpumalanga has been identified as a hotspot for illicit mining – a crime that often goes hand-in-hand with illegal ammunition and firearms.

“From December 2023 to date, more than 427 high-calibre firearms and more than 10 000 rounds of ammunition have been seized from these illegal mining operations,” Masemola said.

Masemola said while progress was being made, with more than 15 000 arrests in connection with illegal mining since December last year, more still needs to be done to stop this crime.

“We need all South Africans and other key stakeholders to take a stand against such activities before such loss of life is recorded.”