'They're dying of hunger, others sick': Stilfontein locals want retrieval of underground miners sped up

JOHANNESBURG - Questions have emerged about the slow pace of the ongoing operation to extract hundreds of illegal miners at an abandoned mine in Stilfontein, in the North West. 

Plans are under way to force zama zamas back to the surface and shut down an illegal operation that’s been running for years at the old Buffelsfontein gold mine. 

The task team responsible for the fresh rescue operation kicked off earlier this week, following months of work done by Operation Vala Umgodi. 

The team, led by the local government, includes mining experts. 

READ: Stilfontein community leaders raise safety concerns about plan to extract illegal miners

Khuma community leader Johannes Qankase, who was part of earlier rescue efforts said he's worried about the wellbeing of illegal miners. 

"They are dying of hunger and starvation, others are sick. We've seen with the people we rescued last week. They were very weak and dehydrated. They are willing to come out," he said.

READ: Stilfontein zama zama ‘middleman’ says others may be clueless to shaft shutdown operation

While the exact cost for the operation is yet to be confirmed, Qankase indicated how much has been spent so far.

"We are told that this daily rescue operation costs R1.1 million...we are told by the rescuers, the experts. We respect the help that they are bringing to our people, we just want to see our people alive," Qankase added.

The MEC for Community Safety in the province, Wessels Morweng, previously revealed that some departments may have to foot the bill jointly.