150 illegal miners trapped inside an abandoned mine in Sabie

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Nearly 150 illegal miners are said to be trapped inside an abandoned mine in Sabie with six already resurfaced and three reportedly dead.

This situation, according to the police was discovered on Tuesday afternoon, whereby members from the K9 Unit of the security company were patrolling around the farms in the area when they encountered four men who appeared to be fleeing from the area.

These men, who were found to be suspected illegal miners, informed the security guards that they and others were trapped inside an abandoned mine, said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

He stated that police officers assigned to Operation Vala Umgodi were immediately dispatched to the scene where two foreign nationals, aged 23 and 24, along with other four South Africans, were successfully rescued from the mine.

“According to the rescued individuals, they had been forced to work and mine for gold by their captors under dangerous and dire conditions.

“Tragically, three individuals lost their lives while trapped inside the mine shaft. In light of this incident, it is believed that the ones running this illegal operation could possibly be heavily armed.

“This suspicion is further supported by a recent altercation on 28 November 2024, where alleged illegal miners attacked law enforcement officials, resulting in injuries to a K9 Unit Warrant Officer and the fatal shooting of three suspects,” Mdhluli explained.

Mpumalanga acting police commissioner, Zeph Mkhwanazi, has assured the public that law enforcement agencies are actively monitoring the situation.

Mkhwanazi urged the public to allow the authorities the necessary space to deal with the situation.

“All relevant stakeholders, including search and rescue teams, are currently at the scene, and visibility in the area has been increased to ensure the safety of the community, ” said the General.

Three bodies retrieved, 8 illegal miners rescued

Meanwhile, national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola is expected to lead a delegation of senior officers to Sabie and Stilfontein to monitor ongoing Vala Umgodi operations. 

According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the delegation will receive an update on ongoing operations and thereafter provide an update to members of the media. 

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Mathe revealed that in Sabie, three bodies were retrieved and eight illegal miners have been rescued from a hole.

She added; “An ongoing rescue operation has had to be aborted and will resume in the morning. More than hundred illegal miners are still underground. 

“In Stilfontein, seven bodies have been retrieved thus far and more than 1300 illegal miners have resurfaced with hundreds of illegal miners still underground.”