Several hundred people remain trapped in an abandoned mine shaft in South Africa, after the government cut off supplies in an attempt to pressure illegal miners to surface, according to CNN.
Police have stopped food and water deliveries to the miners underground, aiming to compel them to leave the mine, as reported by Reuters.
These miners, known locally as “zama zamas,” often work in hazardous conditions in disused mines, where they can stay for months, sometimes traveling up to 4 kilometers below the surface, according to South Africa’s Minerals Commission.
Conditions in the shaft are reportedly worsening, and on Thursday, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that one decomposed body was recovered.
Family members gathered near the site in Stilfontein, sharing concerns for their loved ones. “We are here for our brothers and sisters, and my husband is here—he has been underground for eight months,” Ntomboxolo Qwanti told Agence France-Presse.
Estimates of how many miners remain vary widely. North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone told the Associated Press that as many as 4,000 miners could be trapped, while other police reports suggest hundreds.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, stated on Wednesday that the government would not aid the miners. “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out,” she said.
The stance has faced criticism, with Mametlwe Sebei of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa cautioning that such an approach “criminalizes” many miners who are simply “desperate people” trapped in dangerous conditions.
As of now, 1,172 illegal miners have surfaced voluntarily, according to police. Community members have expressed a desire to conduct their own rescue efforts, with police requiring them to sign indemnity forms due to safety risks.
Illegal mining costs South Africa over a billion dollars annually and has fueled violent territorial conflicts, the Minerals Council of South Africa reports. Authorities plan to escalate efforts to end illegal mining in the area, with police and defense officials scheduled to visit the site on Friday.
Source: CNN