The desperate plight of illegal miners, known as zama zamas, operating in the Stilfontein mines has reached horrifying new depths, with reports emerging of cannibalism driven by starvation and perilous working conditions. Letters purportedly written by miners trapped underground paint a grim picture of death and despair.
The letter describes the perilous conditions of Shaft 10, where miners risk fatal falls during their attempts to escape, leaving bodies unrecoverable. The desperate plea for assistance highlights the extreme hunger driving the miners to resort to cannibalism.
The letter’s stark description of the situation underscores the urgent need for intervention. The miners' account of repeated deaths from starvation, despite receiving food supplies, points to systemic issues within the mine and the inadequacy of current aid efforts. The cannibalism, a consequence of extreme hunger, is a chilling testament to the desperate conditions underground.
Meanwhile, law enforcement continues its efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the region. Between 23 and 26 December, police arrested 26 illegal miners on charges of trespassing, illegal mining, and violations of the Immigration Act. The arrests took place at Margaret Shaft (four suspects) and Buffelsfontein Shaft 10 (22 suspects).
Police spokeswoman Colonel Adéle Myburgh confirmed the nationalities of the arrested individuals: nine from Lesotho, four Zimbabweans, nine Mozambicans, and four South Africans. Two suspects face additional charges – one for possession of gold-bearing material and another for possession of explosives. All are scheduled to appear in the Stilfontein Magistrates Court on Friday, 27 December 2024.
The situation in Stilfontein is not isolated. Operation Vala Umgodi, an ongoing initiative targeting illegal mining across the province, continues its efforts to combat this dangerous activity. In a separate operation in Mpumalanga, police, assisted by the South African National Defence Force's Improvised Explosive Demolition Devices Team, arrested 19 zama zamas at an abandoned mine in Barberton on Thursday, 26 December. The suspects, aged between 22 and 39, included 11 foreign nationals and eight South Africans.
Authorities seized a shotgun, revolver, 303 rifle, approximately 32 rounds of live ammunition, one cartridge case, and explosives during the raid. Mpumalanga police spokesman Brigadier Donald Mdhluli stated that preliminary investigations revealed one suspect, a 39-year-old man found in possession of a stolen firearm, was on parole for a previous murder conviction. The suspects face charges of illegal mining, possession of unlicensed firearms and explosives, and immigration violations. They are due to appear in the Barberton Magistrates Court on Monday, 30 December.
The combined incidents in Stilfontein and Barberton highlight the multifaceted challenges posed by illegal mining in South Africa. The dire conditions faced by the zama zamas in Stilfontein, culminating in the reported cannibalism, demand urgent humanitarian intervention. Simultaneously, the continued arrests across the province underscore the need for sustained law enforcement efforts to combat illegal mining and its associated risks.
The grim reality of these operations necessitates a comprehensive approach that addresses both the humanitarian crisis and the criminal activities involved. The upcoming court appearances will be crucial in determining the fate of those arrested, and the ongoing investigations will hopefully shed further light on the extent of the problem and inform future strategies for addressing it.
