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In a shocking turn of events, hundreds of illegal miners, locally known as “zama zamas,” spent months trapped in the abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, in a situation that has since turned into a humanitarian crisis. The ordeal began in August 2024 when police initiated Operation Vala Umgodi-an operation meaning “Close the Hole”-to combat illegal mining activities. The police sealed the entry points and cut off food and water supplies, hoping the miners would surface. This strategy precipitated the most disastrous outcomes imaginable.
Survivors told of the worst kind of desperation, which drove some to eat insects and, in extreme incidents, human flesh. According to one miner, “From the month of September through October 2024, when even the smallest amounts of food were totally absent, just living turned into a fight against starvation day in and day out.”
The Incident attracted international attention, and two local volunteers, Mandla Charles and Mzwandile Mkwayi, conducted a courageous rescue. Over three days, they ventured deep into the 2km shaft, making numerous trips to rescue 246 miners and recover 78 bodies. Mkwayi described how the experience affected him, saying, “I have to tell you, I am traumatised. I will never forget the sight of these people for the rest of my life.”
Its method drew an uproar of criticism from human rights groups and communities. The Mining Affected Communities United in Action blamed authorities for weaponizing starvation against people, causing what it described as a “massacre.” Police Minister Senzo Mchunu called for patience while investigations continued, understanding how emotive the matter was.
This tragedy underlines the complex issues surrounding illegal mining in South Africa. Abandoned mines have become hotspots for illicit activities, often involving vulnerable individuals seeking economic opportunities as the industry has declined. The government’s crackdown, while addressing the estimated economic losses of $3.2 billion in 2024, has opened debates over human rights and ethics in respect of such enforcement methods.
As the crisis persists, what becomes apparent is that South Africa needs a balanced approach, one that looks into both the economic implications and the humanitarian aspects of illegal mining.
