Zama zama bosses allegedly enslave over 150 in Sabie illegal mine

A rescue operation is under way to save more than 150 people trapped in an illegal mine in the dense Sabie plantation. The victims were reportedly forced into illegal mining by a group of zama zamas.

Lowvelder reports the operation follows last week’s gun battle between police and zama zamas, which left three zama zamas dead. A police officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was hospitalised.

“This mini war resulted in the cutting of food supply to the other people 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 wished to remain anonymous. “We understand there are three zama zamas who are dead inside the mine shaft, and that the zama zama bosses controlling 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.”

Another source at the scene said the rescue operation began yesterday, and resulted in the rescue of six captives. The operation was suspended overnight while teams waited for more specialised rescue personnel to arrive.

“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 rescued captives reportedly informed police about the three dead zama zamas in the mineshaft.

When contacted, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli initially requested a written inquiry as he was in a meeting. He later confirmed: “We can confirm the operation and that three zama zamas were reportedly dead. Six captives were already outside the illegal mine.”