Remains of more than 70 Stilfontein illegal miners yet to be identified
The bodies of 78 zama zamas were recovered from the Buffelsfontein gold mine this week during a government-led operation to shut down an elaborate illicit mining network in the area.
Rescuers cross the caution tape near a Metalliferous Mobile Rescue Winder during a rescue operation to retrieve illegal miners from an abandoned gold shaft in Stilfontein on 13 January 2025. Picture: Christian Velcich/AFP
STILFONTEIN - The remains of more than 70 illegal miners in Stilfontein are yet to be identified by relatives following their deaths at a disused mine shaft.
The bodies of 78 zama zamas were recovered from the Buffelsfontein gold mine this week during a government-led operation to shut down an elaborate illicit mining network in the area.
This was part of a broader plan under the banner of Operation Vala Umgodi that saw a total of 1,900 illegal miners retrieved from underground in Stilfontein since August.
This includes the 240 people brought up to the surface this week.
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• Kingpins who commissioned mining op must be held accountable for Stilfontein crisis - police
• Stilfontein rescue mission winds down but Operation Vala Umgodi to continue
• SANCO battling to face relatives of illegal miners still hoping for their safe return
While some of the illegal miners must still face the full might of South African law, the deceased illegal miners from other African countries are expected to be repatriated.
Zimbabwe's Consul-General in South Africa, Eria Phiri, said it's unclear yet who will foot the bill for repatriation.
"The issue of the government of Zimbabwe taking over the cost, that’s something we need to engage with our principals back home. This is a story that’s still developing but our principals back home, they are aware that such a thing is happening in South Africa, specifically in Stilfontein."