Rescue operation to free more than 100 trapped zama zamas in Sabie to continue
Six have been rescued since efforts began on Wednesday, while three have died.
Police at a mine shaft in Sabie, Mpumalanga where more than 100 illegal miners are trapped underground. Picture: @SAPoliceService/X
JOHANNESBURG - Mpumalanga police are actively monitoring a scene in Sabie where more than 150 illegal miners are trapped underground.
This comes as a joint operation to rescue the zama zamas continues.
According to police, some of the illegal miners are believed to be South African, while others are undocumented foreign nationals.
Six have been rescued since efforts began on Wednesday, while three have died.
Police believe that the ones running the illegal operation could be heavily armed, following a confrontation with law enforcement officials last week.
"Police are maintaining their presence in the area and the acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major-General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, reassured members of the public that law enforcement agencies will continue to be in that area."
#sapsMP [ILLEGAL MINING] About 150 illegal miners are said to be trapped inside an abandoned mine in Sabie with six already resurfaced and three reportedly dead.
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 4, 2024
Operation Vala Umgodi were immediately dispatched to the scene. Two foreign nationals, aged 23 and 24, along with… pic.twitter.com/3AhHGNBYrK