Decomposed Body of Second Illegal Miner Retrieved at Stilfontein Mine Amid Claims of 6 More Bodies

• Authorities recovered the body of a second illegal miner at the Stilfontein mine in Klerksdorp as rescue operations continue
• The unidentified body was brought to the surface as food was being sent underground pursuant to an interim court order
• Scores of zama zamas remain underground at the disused facility, with the court expected to rule on the order on 5 December
• North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone told Briefly News there is no confirmation yet of more bodies

STILFONTEIN — The decomposed body of an illegal miner was brought up to the surface amid continuing rescue operations at the disused Stilfontein mine in Klerksdorp, North West, on Tuesday, 3 December 2024.

It is the second decomposed body after the one authorities retrieved nearly three weeks ago on 14 November.

Body of second illegal miner retrieved

There are reports of about six more after the illegal miners attached a note to the retrieved body, notifying authorities of them.

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"This is the second confirmed dead body. We have yet to confirm the illegal miners' claims [of more]. Police will make those determinations as the operation continues," North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone told Briefly News.

Scenes from a shaft showed emergency response personnel bringing the body up using a rope.

Watch the video below.

What you need to know about the Stilfontein standoff

• The South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) launched Operation Vala Umgodi to clap down on illicit mining in the Bojanala Platinum District in December 2023
• Over 1,000 illegal miners have resurfaced from an abandoned mine shaft at the sealed-off facility between 18 October and 5 November
• Deportation orders were granted in court for arrested persons who resurfaced and appeared in court after charges were withdrawn
• Police retrieved a decomposed body from the shaft on 14 November, and three more zama zamas rose back to the surface the same day
• The High Court granted an interim court order on 16 November instructing police to unblock a shaft after the Society for the Protection of our Constitution (SPOC) applied for relief for the illegal miners
• The North-West provincial government on 18 November launched a retrieval operation for the illegal miners with the help of a private rescue team
• On the same day, the illegal miners sent a note requesting antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment for HIV/ AIDS

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At least 55 illegal miners resurfaced alive since 22 November, after the North West government announced a retrieval rescue operation four days earlier.

In a letter that was reportedly attached to the corpse brought up on Tuesday — written in Sesotho, English and IsiXhosa — zama zamas appealed to authorities to get them out from underground.

"We [regret] to [inform] you about people who are dying in the mine. One person died due to [a] shortage of food while some [others] are lying down, unresponsive. Please, we need help. Please [remove] us from this mine because [the] situation is difficult. We will be thankful by [you] helping us."

Authorities said the operation to rescue the illegal miners was continuing after the Gauteng High Court in Tshwane granted a second interim order following an application by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) to deliver humanitarian aid.

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Food, including Mageu, instant porridge, and water, was sent underground before the decomposed body was brought to the surface.

Mokgwabone told Briefly News that the high court would hold a hearing to rule on MACUA's application following the interim order on 5 December.

SA critical of zama zamas' demands

The online community took in the latest developments, loudly airing their views as many lambasted the unfolding situation.

Briefly News looks at the colourful commentary.

@ViperIdous wrote:

"Hebanna, even medical supplies? Nah, [it's] time to become a criminal. Criminals live soft in this country."

@Dadddy_K said:

"If a dead person can make it out, so can the weak and fragile. They just don’t want to come out!"

@sparx_ltd added:

"They demand food and water in exchange for decomposed bodies. Our government is feeding them to stay longer underground. These illegal miners' kingpins are playing a manipulative game and are winning so far."

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Baanisto noted:

"We will [learn] what the postmortem says, but I heard that zama zamas finish each other off when weak."

@Daniebo64940130 offered:

"OK, just a question. The man is dead, and he got out. The others want food and water to build strength to get out. Follow the dead guy; he made it out."

Government to help miners

In related news, Briefly News reported that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu promised that the government would help competent and qualified miners legally practice their trade.

Mchunu made this vow during an engagement with community members near the Stilfontein mine on 29 November.

Source: Briefly News