Two Zimbabwean miners emerged alive from South Africa's abandoned Stilfontein gold mine last week, carrying the remains of a fellow countryman who died from starvation and dehydration. The survivors had stayed underground for weeks, fearing arrest during authorities' crackdown on illegal mining.
Zimbabwe's Embassy in South Africa reported at least 20 Zimbabwean nationals died after becoming trapped in the mine, which had become a refuge for "zama zamas" - illegal miners caught beneath the surface when officials sealed access points during their operation.
Zimbabwean Ambassador David Hamadziripi told The Sunday Mail the government has begun identifying families of the deceased. Officials plan to trace relatives who can confirm identities or provide materials for DNA testing. The tragedy has claimed 87 lives of people from various nations across the SADC region.
The embassy sent officials from its Johannesburg consulate to work with South African authorities, helping identify affected Zimbabweans and gather information about the deceased and survivors. Many miners remained underground rather than face arrest during the siege operation, which led to about 500 arrests at the mine. Early reports indicate up to 100 of those arrested hold Zimbabwean citizenship.
The Stilfontein mine, formerly a major gold producer, had sat dormant for years before attracting "zama zamas" who extracted gold from abandoned shafts. South African authorities launched their operation in August 2024, sealing mine entrances and cutting off supplies. These actions, meant to force miners to surface, trapped hundreds underground with limited food and water.
A court-ordered rescue operation began in January 2025, using a metal cage and lift system to recover survivors and deceased miners from the depths. The trapped miners had endured hazardous conditions, facing starvation and dehydration in the sealed mine shafts.
Zimbabwe's Embassy in South Africa reported at least 20 Zimbabwean nationals died after becoming trapped in the mine, which had become a refuge for "zama zamas" - illegal miners caught beneath the surface when officials sealed access points during their operation.
Zimbabwean Ambassador David Hamadziripi told The Sunday Mail the government has begun identifying families of the deceased. Officials plan to trace relatives who can confirm identities or provide materials for DNA testing. The tragedy has claimed 87 lives of people from various nations across the SADC region.
The embassy sent officials from its Johannesburg consulate to work with South African authorities, helping identify affected Zimbabweans and gather information about the deceased and survivors. Many miners remained underground rather than face arrest during the siege operation, which led to about 500 arrests at the mine. Early reports indicate up to 100 of those arrested hold Zimbabwean citizenship.
The Stilfontein mine, formerly a major gold producer, had sat dormant for years before attracting "zama zamas" who extracted gold from abandoned shafts. South African authorities launched their operation in August 2024, sealing mine entrances and cutting off supplies. These actions, meant to force miners to surface, trapped hundreds underground with limited food and water.
A court-ordered rescue operation began in January 2025, using a metal cage and lift system to recover survivors and deceased miners from the depths. The trapped miners had endured hazardous conditions, facing starvation and dehydration in the sealed mine shafts.
