About 4,000 illegal gold miners, known as “zama zamas” (meaning “take a chance” in Zulu), are hiding in an abandoned mineshaft in Stilfontein, South Africa, after the government cut off food and water to force them out.
The miners, many of whom are undocumented migrants from nearby countries like Lesotho and Mozambique, have avoided cooperating with authorities to avoid deportation.
South Africa’s illegal mining industry, largely in abandoned mines, costs the government hundreds of millions in lost revenue annually.
With numerous South African mines shutting down in recent years, many workers have lost their jobs.
To survive, former miners and undocumented migrants turn to illegal mining, venturing underground to escape poverty and extract gold for the black market.
Some remain below for months, supported by a small underground economy that supplies food, cigarettes, and cooked meals.
Local residents have pleaded with the authorities to assist the miners, but they have refused.
“We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped – they are to be persecuted” said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
Police are hesitant to go into the mine as some of those underground may be armed.
It is no longer about illegal miners – this is a humanitarian crisis,” said Ms Thabane.
On Thursday, community leader Thembile Botman told the BBC that volunteers had used ropes and seat belts to pull a body out of the mine.
“The stench of decomposing bodies has left the volunteers traumatised,” he said.
It’s not clear how the person died.
Although the authorities have been blocking food and water, they have temporarily allowed local residents to send some supplies down by rope.
Mr Botman said they had been communicating with the miners by notes written on pieces of paper.
Police have blocked off entrances and exits in an effort to compel the miners to come out.
This is part of the Vala Umgodi, or “Close the Hole”, operation to curb illegal mining.
Five miners were pulled out on Wednesday by rope, but they were frail and weak.
Paramedics attended to them, and then they were taken into police custody.
In the last week, 1,000 miners have emerged and been arrested.
