Poll Question: What do you think should be the top priority for addressing illegal mining in Stilfontein?
Seventeen illegal miners emerged from two mine shafts in Stilfontein on Thursday, according to News24. Fourteen, all foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, resurfaced at Margaret Shaft, while three others emerged from Shaft 10. These miners are being processed by authorities.
Meanwhile, around 300 illegal miners appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on charges including illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act.
A 19-year-old miner alleged that he was forced to mine for six months by heavily armed mine bosses who refused to let workers leave. He described dire underground conditions, including being beaten if they tried to escape and surviving on toothpaste. The teenager claimed that armed individuals acted as enforcers, making escape dangerous.
Image credit: TebogoPhakedi, X