Over 100 suspects, including some of the alleged ringleaders, are set to appear in court on Friday after more than 200 illegal miners were rescued from an abandoned shaft at the Buffelsfontein gold mine near Klerksdorp. The operation, led by the Mine Rescue Services, was a part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit mining in the region.
Police confirmed that several of the key figures involved in the operation were among those rescued. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe revealed that some of the kingpins, who were responsible for recruiting the miners, were also underground during the rescue.
“We are aware that some of the kingpins, those that recruited the miners, were underground with them,” Mathe stated.
Mathe also confirmed an investigation into allegations of kidnapping, abuse, and torture. In December, disturbing videos surfaced showing miners being assaulted by individuals reportedly connected to the illicit mining operations. Police are also probing claims that many miners were brought to the site under false pretenses and forcibly held underground.
Some miners, who managed to escape by climbing out of neighboring shafts, spoke of being denied food by heavily armed men, some of whom they described as "Basotho". One survivor told SABC News that they had to resort to drinking tea and eating cockroaches when food supplies ran out.
The man, who entered the mine voluntarily in July 2024 due to financial struggles, described conditions deteriorating rapidly. “We started drinking tea, but we didn’t think we would be starved to death,” he said. He also confirmed reports of cannibalism, stating miners were told that the meat they ate was pig meat, though they were never provided with food.
Since the beginning of the police’s anti-illicit mining operation in Stilfontein, over 1,900 individuals have been arrested on illegal mining-related charges. In addition, community volunteers have recovered nine bodies, while 78 bodies were brought up in the mine rescue cage this week.
It is still unclear what specific charges the alleged masterminds of the operation will face.