Cape Town — A further 17 illegal miners resurfaced from the two separate mine shafts at Stilfontein on Thursday afternoon.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, confirmed that the 17 illegal miners are from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
“Of the 17 illegal miners, 14 resurfaced from Margaret Shaft and three at Shaft No. 10. The 14 illegal miners that resurfaced at Margaret Shaft, are foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. They are still being processed,” Mokgwabone said.
#sapsNW Potchefstroom: Seventeen illegal miners resurfaced today, 28 November 2024. Of the 17 illegal miners, 14 resurfaced from Margaret Shaft and three at Shaft No. 10. The 14 illegal miners that resurfaced at Margaret Shaft, are foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and… pic.twitter.com/9y6Ziyg0Dx
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 28, 2024
After 14 miners resurfaced from the mine on Monday, authorities have been on hand to try and determine the status of the miners, and why they were underground.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the miners were arrested as soon as they resurfaced and some of them confirmed that they were underground by force, guarded by gunmen.
Accorrding to News24, around 300 illegal miners are also appearing in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court today. Among the charges are illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act.
Rescue teams and police officials have been stationed outside several mine shafts in an effort to remove illegal miners.
[BREAKING NEWS] 17 more illegal miners have emerged from abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein. One of the miners says more remain underground, dying of hunger. Here is eNCA’s @moeraneb14 with more details. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/lwHgXDpCo1
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 28, 2024
Three more illegal miners emerge from abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein. Here is eNCA’s @moeraneb14 with more details. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/I3TSOwjgfy
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 28, 2024
Allegations of human trafficking related to illegal mining activities continue to grow after 20 illegal miners resurfaced at a disused mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West. Fourteen of the illegal miners are believed to be minors. @ZinikokaMhlaba reports.
Watch:… pic.twitter.com/PLICRFy0lh
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 28, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
