2 more Zimbabweans resurface from SA mine

Two Zimbabwean nationals have emerged from the abandoned Stilfontein gold mine in South Africa after weeks underground, where they endured harrowing conditions. The survivors surfaced last week, bringing with them the remains of a compatriot who succumbed to starvation and dehydration during the ordeal.

The Stilfontein mine disaster has claimed the lives of at least 20 Zimbabwean nationals, with the total death toll reaching 87 individuals from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The mine, a haven for illegal miners known as "zama zamas," became a death trap after South African authorities launched a siege operation in August 2024 to crack down on illegal mining.

According to Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa, Mr. David Hamadziripi, the Zimbabwean government has initiated the process of identifying the families of the deceased. "So far, there is nothing new except for two more Zimbabweans who emerged over the weekend and one deceased who they brought out," Ambassador Hamadziripi told The Sunday Mail. "The process of identifying the families of the deceased is ongoing."

The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa, along with consular officials from Johannesburg, is working closely with South African authorities to identify victims and survivors. Efforts include gathering information to verify the identities of those who perished and coordinating with families for DNA testing where required.

The tragedy at Stilfontein mine unfolded after South African authorities sealed off entrances to the abandoned shafts during a crackdown on illegal mining last year. Nearly 500 illegal miners were arrested in the operation, with preliminary reports indicating that up to 100 of them are Zimbabwean nationals.

The siege operation, aimed at flushing out illegal miners, inadvertently trapped hundreds underground, cutting off access to food and water. Many miners, fearing arrest, chose to remain in the mine's hazardous conditions rather than surface.

The trapped miners faced weeks of starvation, dehydration, and exposure to toxic underground conditions. Survivors recounted desperate struggles for survival, with limited resources and the constant fear of collapse or apprehension.

A court-ordered rescue operation began in January 2025, deploying a metal cage and lift system to extract both survivors and the deceased from the depths of the mine. Despite these efforts, the toll of the disaster has highlighted the dangers of illegal mining and the human cost of desperate economic conditions faced by many across the region.

The Stilfontein mine, once a thriving gold producer, has been closed for years but remains a focal point for illegal gold extraction. The disaster has sparked calls for increased safety measures, economic reforms, and bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Africa to address illegal mining and its underlying causes.

As the identification process continues, families of the deceased face a painful wait for closure, while survivors grapple with the trauma of one of the region's most devastating mining tragedies in recent years.