Faith Nyasuguta
The South African government has begun a large-scale rescue mission to free hundreds of illegal miners trapped underground at the Buffelsfontein gold mine. Two months after police blocked food, water, and medical supplies to force the miners out, horrifying videos have emerged showing dozens of dead bodies and emaciated men still underground.
Disturbing footage shared by the rights group Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) revealed the dire situation. One video shows what appear to be scores of bodies wrapped in plastic sacks, while another highlights the plight of the surviving miners – malnourished, shirtless, and visibly weak, with ribs and collarbones protruding. “The conditions are unbearable. We need help,” pleads one miner in the footage.
This rescue effort comes after mounting pressure, including a court case initiated by the sister of a trapped miner. Letters smuggled out by survivors claim that 109 miners have already died inside. Survivors have recounted harrowing stories of eating cockroaches, toothpaste mixed with salt, and, in some cases, resorting to cannibalism to survive.
The Buffelsfontein mine, located near Stilfontein, roughly 100 miles southwest of Johannesburg, is one of thousands of abandoned mines exploited by “zama zamas,” or illegal miners. Experts estimate 30,000 such miners operate in these dangerous shafts, producing about 10% of South Africa’s gold output. Many of these operations are controlled by violent criminal syndicates.
In late 2023, South African authorities launched Operation Vala Umgodi (“plug the hole”), a crackdown on illegal mining. Police sealed off the mine’s shafts in an attempt to force the miners to surrender. “We don’t believe they are trapped because others have come out,” said Makhosonke Buthelezi, spokesperson for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. However, survivors and advocates argue that many remain stranded due to blocked exits and the mine’s complex structure.
Contracted by the government, Mines Rescue Services has begun hoisting miners to safety using a crane-winched cage capable of lifting six people an hour. The operation, expected to last up to 16 days, marks a critical step in addressing the dire situation. “The pulley system, previously destroyed, has now been replaced with proper machinery,” confirmed Buthelezi.
The unfolding tragedy has spurred outrage over the treatment of illegal miners and raised urgent questions about accountability. Police are investigating claims that food and supplies sent to the trapped miners were withheld.
“This loss of life is tragic, but no one should have been underground in such hazardous conditions,” said SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
This disaster highlights the dangers faced by South Africa’s illegal miners and the need for systemic reforms to address the exploitation, safety risks, and criminal networks tied to the country’s abandoned mines. For now, rescuing the remaining miners and ensuring justice for those who perished is the government’s priority.
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