41 Illegal Miners Rescued from Sabie Mine, Operations Ongoing

Rescue efforts in Sabie, Mpumalanga, have brought 41 alleged illegal miners to the surface since 04 December, with 33 extracted on December 7 alone. Tragically, three individuals were confirmed dead during the operation, which has now been temporarily paused until the morning of December 8.

Dire Conditions Underground

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that the rescued miners reported being coerced into mining for gold under life-threatening conditions by armed captors. The mine, believed to house about 150 illegal miners, has seen three fatalities during the operation.

“The ones running this illegal operation are suspected to be heavily armed,” Mdhluli said, citing a violent confrontation on November 28 when alleged illegal miners attacked law enforcement, injuring a K9 Unit officer and resulting in the deaths of three suspects.

Parallel Developments in Stilfontein

A similar incident unfolded in Stilfontein, where 26 illegal miners surfaced from a disused mine between December 3 and 4, adding to the 11 bodies retrieved since November. Reports suggest the miners had been underground for over two months, many forced into labor by armed gangs. Investigations into exploitation and human trafficking are ongoing, with minors comprising about 96 of the over 1,000 miners who have resurfaced in the area.

Focus on Safety and Justice

The Sabie operation has drawn national attention, with high-ranking officials, including National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, overseeing rescue efforts.

The incident underscores the dangerous conditions and human exploitation tied to illegal mining, a growing concern in South Africa. Efforts continue to rescue those still trapped and to hold those responsible for these operations accountable.