Miners underground: It's a wait-and-see game as SAPS await their emergence
Last week, more than 1,000 of the illegal miners emerged from a mine shaft in Orkney, after running out of food and water and they were arrested.
Miners underground it was a wait-and-see game as SAPS await their emergence on 15 November 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
STILFONTEIN - Police are continuing with an operation to close down a mining shaft in Stilfontein in the North West where hundreds of illegal miners are gathered.
On Thursday, the body of one illegal miner was recovered by community members.
Last week, more than 1,000 of the illegal miners emerged from a mine shaft in Orkney, after running out of food and water and they were arrested.
It is understood that hundreds of miners are underground at shaft 3 of the old Buffelsfontein gold mine.
From what Eyewitness News is observing, theirs is a wait-and-see approach - which is no different from when operation “vala umgodi” [close the shaft] was intensified earlier this month.
As you drive towards the isolated area at one of the shafts - the only clue you’ll see is police tape from the tar road into the bushes.
Police are on-site at one of the problem areas - albeit just inyala van for now and they are part of a team that did an overnight stakeout again just waiting to see if anyone emerges from the shaft.
Other than that - there’s a little movement happening this morning.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is expected to visit the site to bring the operation to a safe conclusion.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY, EYEWITNESS NEWS WILL BRING YOU THE DETAILS.