For six months, a South African miner was confined to the suffocating depths of an abandoned mine, his life hanging by a thread in a world of darkness, hunger, and isolation. His terrifying ordeal, one that began in July 2024, ended only on Christmas Day, when he emerged from the mine, broken but alive. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the 40-year-old father of six shared his horrific experience with Time Africa, offering a chilling account of his time trapped underground.
His ordeal began when a major police crackdown aimed at halting illegal gold mining in South Africa led to the cutting off of essential supplies to thousands of miners working in abandoned mines. The miners, many of whom rely on the meager profits from gold panning to survive, were left without food, water, and other basic necessities. As authorities intensified their operation to curb the rampant illegal mining industry, they inadvertently created a deadly trap for those already deep inside these mines.
“It felt like a scene from a horror film, but the painful truth is that it was all too real,” the miner recalled, reflecting on his months underground. Desperately hungry, he witnessed the slow and painful deaths of many of his fellow miners who succumbed to starvation, dehydration, and illness. The miner recounted how he had no choice but to watch as his companions grew weaker, their bodies becoming emaciated as food ran out. The darkness of the mine, combined with the suffocating absence of supplies, created an atmosphere of terror and despair.
The incident underscores the grim reality of illegal mining in South Africa, where impoverished communities, particularly in townships near abandoned mines, have long relied on this dangerous and often unlawful industry as a means of survival. For the miners trapped underground, the government’s attempt to curb this booming illegal industry, though aimed at preserving public safety and the nation’s economy, instead became a death sentence for many.
The miner’s escape, which came on Christmas Day, was nothing short of miraculous. After nearly half a year in the mine, he finally managed to reach a separate shaft that was equipped with steel stairs. The ascent, which was fraught with peril, left his hands badly bruised. But unlike many others who were still trapped or had already perished, he made it out alive—his physical survival a testament to his resilience, but also a reminder of the horrors he had endured. Tragically, many of his fellow miners never made it out. Their bodies were found wrapped in twine, lined up in rows, a haunting reminder of the deadly risks miners face every day.
The government’s crackdown, which began in August 2024, has led to the forced evacuation of nearly 2,000 illegal miners from the Stilfontein area. Yet, as the authorities’ efforts intensified, the survivors’ fates were sealed in the mines themselves. At least dozens of miners lost their lives, and the full extent of the fatalities remains unclear. While many survivors were rescued in a dramatic operation earlier this week, more than 240 were pulled from the depths of the mine, their fragile bodies frail and weak from months of deprivation.
Rescue operations, while saving lives, have exposed the stark conditions faced by those in the illegal mining industry. The miners were often unable to communicate with the outside world, isolated by the authorities’ efforts to shut down the mines. Meanwhile, the community remains in a state of distress, as local families continue to mourn the deaths of their loved ones. South Africa, a nation with a deep history of mining, is now grappling with a growing humanitarian crisis, one that has yet to be fully addressed by either the government or the broader society.
Illegal mining has long been a significant source of income for South Africans living in poverty. According to estimates, there are more than 6,100 abandoned mines scattered across the country. These mines, once rich with gold, have become a dangerous lifeline for those in desperate need of work. With the official economy failing to provide sufficient jobs, many young men from surrounding townships turn to illegal mining as their only option.
Mmastona Mbizana, a resident of Khumo township, knows all too well the personal toll this industry has taken on families. Two of her sons turned to illegal mining after struggling with unemployment. The 22-year-old son was arrested during the police operation in December after emerging from the mine, though he was eventually released on bail. Her other son, Lucky, who had been working as a “runner,” delivering food and supplies to miners underground, was also apprehended at the same site. Using crutches due to injuries sustained during a confrontation with law enforcement, Lucky recalled the violence he endured.
“There were police and military personnel firing rubber bullets and deploying pepper spray, which obscured my vision and caused me to fall,” Lucky explained. The physical and emotional toll of being caught in such a dangerous and exploitative environment was evident in his words. “I didn’t expect to face this,” he said, referring to the heavy-handed tactics used by the authorities to crack down on illegal mining.
While the South African government has expressed regret over the fatalities in Stilfontein, it insists that illegal mining remains a criminal activity that undermines the country’s economy and contributes to widespread environmental degradation. Officials point to the significant economic damage caused by illegal mining operations, including the loss of tax revenue and the destruction of land and water resources. In the government’s view, the crackdown is necessary to protect both the economy and the environment from the devastating impacts of these illicit activities.
However, activists argue that the government’s approach has been flawed. They contend that the authorities should have intervened sooner to prevent the deaths of miners like those in Stilfontein. In their view, the root cause of the crisis lies in the widespread poverty and unemployment that push people into these dangerous and illegal operations in the first place. For many, the mines represent the only viable path to economic survival, and without alternative opportunities, many are forced to take these risks.
As the crisis continues to unfold, the question remains: Will the South African government take meaningful steps to address the underlying social and economic issues driving illegal mining, or will more lives be lost in this dangerous, subterranean world? The fate of thousands of miners across the country hangs in the balance, and it is clear that the need for a comprehensive solution has never been more urgent.
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