The hidden truth of South African mines: the shocking video that reveals the tragedy of the miners abandoned underground

A “state-sponsored massacre” or a “tough, necessary battle” against illegal mining? The question, dramatic and resounding in recent weeks, arises from a very concrete reality: the illegal gold mine in Buffelsfonteinin Stilfontein, north-western South Africa, where 78 bodies and 246 survivors emerged over three daysbetween 13 and 16 January 2025. The story, already defined by some as the greatest underground tragedy of recent decadeshas kept an entire country in suspense and opened deep divisions between hard-liners and voices denouncing human rights violations.

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The repression and the siege: what happened

It all started in August 2024, when the South African police surrounded the abandoned mine in Buffelsfontein, place where the activity of “zama zamas” was practiced – a local term meaning “to take a risk” and indicating illegal miners. Since then, according to accusations made by trade union and community groups, the police have implemented an extreme tactic: shutting down food and water supplies, forcing the miners to come to the surface and then arrest them.

Although the South African government claimed that it was “a necessary operation to fight organized crime and defend the economy”, some observers condemned the methods adopted, defining them as a real siege strategy, which would have caused “suffering and death among people desperate.” In a note issued to the press, the South African Trade Union Federation spoke of “people left to die in the depths of the earth”, two kilometers deep.

The numbers of a tragedy

As of August 2024, more than 1,500 miners managed to escape from the network of underground tunnels independently, however ending up in handcuffs for illegal extraction and clandestine immigration. The most dramatic moment occurred between 13 and 16 January 2025, when the judiciary imposed a rescue intervention, culminated in the recovery of 78 lifeless bodies and 246 survivors.

The images of the operations made the rounds in the media: a cylindrical metal cage, lowered to a depth of over two kilometers, rose and fell repeatedly, bringing to light bodies and exhausted survivors. “We put the bodies in the bags with our bare hands”, he said Mzwandile Mkwayia local volunteer, to Reuters. Many of the survivors, exhausted by weeks without supplies, appeared emaciated and disoriented.

The role of gangs and the fear of a forgotten massacre

According to government sources, abandoned mines in South Africa are largely under the control of violent criminal networks, who exploit migrant miners in search of desperate profit. Without safety rules, the lives of these workers are often worth less than a gold nugget mined in terrible conditions. Stilfontein is not an isolated case: illegal mining is a far-reaching problem and, according to Mining Minister Gwede Mantashe, would have stolen over 3 billion dollars from the country’s economy only in the last year.

Yet, never before have we seen such serious accusations of “crimes against humanity” as in this case. “Provide food, water or basic necessities to these people,” said the national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe“would be tantamount to allowing crime to thrive.” The authorities, for their part, they reiterate that they have created safe exit points and have never prevented miners from leaving the tunnels.

The indignation of civil society

“While the ministers defined this operation as a ‘war on the economy’, the Khuma community and volunteers went underground to help our brothers,” explained a representative of local civil society in a television interview. The lack of timely rescue and the partial removal of the pulleys and the climbing system would have contributed, according to critical voices, to increasing the death toll.

The position of the GIWASU unionwho spoke of “state-sponsored massacre” and of “dehumanization of poor and desperate human beings”. To make matters worse, the second largest political party in South Africa, the Democratic AllianceThat called for the opening of an independent investigation. In the crosshairs are the actions of the police and the responsibilities of the authorities who, before the recent forced intervention, would have agreed to a real siege for months.

The rescue operation and the limits of responsibility

With the court order, the government was forced to organize a formal rescue mission, entrusting part of the operations to the “Mines Rescue Services (MRS)”. The teams of volunteers, supported by specialized technicians, inspected kilometers of flooded and unhealthy tunnels. On Thursday 16 January, the police reported that they had concluded the search “without finding anyone left underground”. However, doubts remain as to how many bodies may still lie in the most remote areas of the tunnels, inaccessible even to the rescue cage.

The government’s position

The South African government, through the NATJOINTS (National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure), had issued a statement on 29 December 2024 to clarify its position on the situation of illegal miners in Stilfontein.

In the statement, the government emphasized that the miners have the ability to exit the tunnels independently and that their delayed emergence appears to be a tactic to evade arrest. He also disputed claims that miners had gone without food for months, saying evidence suggests they had access to food supplies.

The government has defended its decision not to provide aid to the miners, arguing that this would amount to “facilitating illegal activities”. It reiterated its commitment to “uphold the rule of law” and to ensure the safety and humane treatment of people who choose to emerge. The NATJOINTS also highlighted the complexity of the rescue operation, highlighting the depth of the well (2 km) and the need to acquire specialized resources and skills. He also defended the decision not to have police lead the operation, arguing that they do not have the necessary experience.

Finally, the government called on all illegal miners to come forward voluntarily and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure their safety and well-being.