Disturbing footage has surfaced from a disused gold mine in South Africa, revealing the grim reality faced by scores of illegal miners who have reportedly been living underground for months.
The miners, known locally as “zama zamas,” have been underground since a police crackdown on illegal mining began last year. Videos shared by the General Industries Workers of South Africa (Giwusa) depict harrowing scenes: emaciated miners pleading for help and makeshift body bags containing corpses. The BBC has not independently verified the videos.
A rescue operation, ordered by a court last week, entered its second day on Tuesday. Authorities have blocked food and water supplies to the shaft in Stilfontein, about 145km southwest of Johannesburg, since last year, citing the miners’ unauthorized entry.
The crackdown has reportedly resulted in over 100 deaths, though this figure remains unconfirmed. Hundreds are still thought to be trapped underground, while more than 1,000 have surfaced in recent months.
One video shows shirtless miners seated on a filthy floor as a voice off-camera pleads for help. “People are dying because of hunger,” the voice says, putting the death toll at 96. Another video highlights the desperate need for food and supplies.
Giwusa has called the situation a “Stilfontein massacre,” blaming government policies for the deaths. “This footage shows a pile of human bodies—miners who died needlessly,” said union president Mametlwe Sebei.
The rescue, led by the Department of Mineral Resources, involves lowering a cage capable of carrying six to seven people approximately 2km down the shaft. By the end of Monday, 26 miners had been rescued alive, while nine bodies were recovered.
Officials have not confirmed whether priority will be given to recovering the dead or aiding those in medical need. A briefing by the department and the police ministry is expected to provide updates on the ongoing rescue effort.
