Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, said a team has been sent to work with the South African government to verify whether any Zimbabwean nationals were among those rescued or who perished at the abandoned Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein, North West Province.
South African authorities reported that 87 illegal miners from various nationalities lost their lives in the North West mine disaster.
Despite South African police blocking water and food from reaching the mine as part of an operation called “Vala Umgodi,” many of the “zama zamas” continued to resist emerging from the mine shafts in Stilfontein, fearing arrest.
In a statement, Hamadziripi said that the Zimbabwean Embassy is working to determine if any Zimbabwean nationals are among the deceased. He said:
<blockquote>
The Embassy wishes to inform members of the public that it is working closely with the South African government to identify and verify the nationalities of the alleged Zimbabwe nationals retrieved from the Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein, North West Province under the ongoing rescue operations.
Further to screening the 465 alleged undocumented Zimbabwe nationals currently in South African Police Service (SAPS) custody, the Embassy is seeking to establish whether there are any Zimbabwe nationals among 87 deceased individuals retrieved at the shaft, whose identities and nationalities are yet to be established.
</blockquote>
Hamadziripi said the embassy is working to identify the deceased individuals through Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing of their relatives.
He urged Zimbabweans who believe their relatives might be among those rescued from the mine disaster in Stilfontein to urgently contact the Consulate in Johannesburg.
Those with information can reach the Consulate through the Hotline/Emergency Line at +27610373400 or visit the Consulate in person at 20 Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue, Bruma, Johannesburg.
Hamadziripi also assured that the Government of Zimbabwe is making arrangements to assist with the repatriation of remains once they are positively identified as Zimbabwean nationals.
On Friday night, the Zimbabwean Consul-General in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, reported that 10 Zimbabweans who had been rescued appeared in court and were fined R15,000 (or given a six-month jail sentence, wholly suspended) for illegal mining. These people were deported earlier in the week.

Pindula News

The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa is trying to find out if any Zimbabwean people were hurt or killed in a mine accident. 87 illegal miners died in the mine. Some miners are afraid to come out of the mine because they might be arrested. The embassy is doing DNA testing to identify the bodies of the miners. They are asking families to come forward if they think their relatives were involved. The Zimbabwean government will help bring the bodies back home if they are Zimbabwean. Ten Zimbabweans who were rescued have been fined for illegal mining.

Zimbabwean Embassy Begins Verification Of Illegal Miners Who Perished In South African Mine

South African authorities have enlisted the help of Zimbabwean diplomats in the neighbouring country to identify and repatriate the remains of several illegal miners recovered from an abandoned mine in Stilfontein.
As reported by <a href="https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/01/16/zimbabwean-officials-roped-in-to-id-repatriate-remains-of-illegal-stilfontein-miners">EWN</a>, among the more than 80 zama zamas who died at the Buffelsfontein gold mine during a police crackdown on illegal mining, many were undocumented Zimbabwean nationals.
Nearly 2,000 illegal miners, primarily Mozambican nationals, followed by Zimbabweans and BaSothos, were operating at the disused mine.
Acting police commissioner for the province, Patrick Asaneng, confirmed that diplomatic talks between Zimbabwe and South Africa were ongoing. He said:
<blockquote>
They will assist us with the verification and confirmation of their addresses and with engaging with those who are still alive.
</blockquote>
Consular General of Zimbabwe Eria Phiri (pictured above) visited Stilfontein on Thursday. He said:
<blockquote>
So far, we have started with the verification and identification of the 465 who have been brought to the surface alive.
Using the 465, we will try to extract as much information as possible so that we have an indication of who was operating underground.
</blockquote>
On Wednesday, South African police announced the end of the rescue operation at the abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, believing they had brought out all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South African officials asked Zimbabwean diplomats to help find and bring home the bodies of illegal miners in Stilfontein. Many of the miners who died were from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The police are working with Zimbabwe to identify the miners and contact their families. Nearly 2,000 illegal miners were found at the abandoned mine. The rescue operation is finished, and all the survivors and bodies have been found. Zimbabwean officials are working to identify the miners who were found alive and give information about those who died.

Zimbabwean Diplomats Roped In To Identify, Repatriate Remains Of Illegal Stilfontein Miners

South African police have ended a rescue operation at an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, believing they have brought out all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies.
The mine, located 2.5 kilometres deep with multiple shafts, levels, and a maze of tunnels, had trapped a group of illegal miners, known as “zama zamas” in the Zulu language, which roughly translates to “hustlers” or “chancers.”
According to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-miners-illegal-gold-mine-trapped-stilfontein-b0efe6ded81f2a96eba7374cff2fe9ca">Associated Press</a>, at least 78 miners were confirmed dead, and 246 survivors were rescued from one of the country’s deepest mines where they had been trapped while working illegally. 
The victims were suspected to have died of starvation or dehydration, although no official cause of death has been released.
The death toll is likely higher, as a community group reported retrieving nine bodies before the police operation started.
There have also been reports of an unconfirmed number of bodies and survivors being brought out sporadically during other community-led rescue efforts since last year.
The surprise announcement ending the operation came a day after the police minister said it would likely last until at least next week.
Maj.-Gen. Patrick Asaneng, the acting police commissioner for North West province, said rescuers would do a final sweep of the mine on Thursday.
The South African government’s decision last year to try to force out the miners by cutting off their food and other supplies was criticized by civic groups, who argued that the government’s refusal to stage a rescue sooner effectively left the miners to die of starvation or dehydration.
Some of the survivors were badly emaciated and barely able to walk, requiring assistance to reach ambulances.
All of them will be arrested and charged with illegal mining and trespassing, according to the police.
The revelation of this incident has sparked outrage, with South Africa’s second-biggest political party calling for an independent inquiry to determine “why the situation was allowed to get so badly out of hand.” 
Authorities have maintained that they were carrying out their mandate to “combat criminality” in the country.
Police reported seizing gold, explosives, firearms, and over $2 million in cash during the operation. The majority of the miners were foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, and were in South Africa illegally.
The government has taken a hardline stance on these miners who are often part of criminal syndicates and responsible for stealing more than US$1 billion in gold each year.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South African police ended a rescue operation in an abandoned gold mine. They found 78 bodies and rescued 246 survivors. The miners were working illegally. Some died of starvation or dehydration. Community groups also found bodies. The government was criticized for not rescuing the miners sooner. Survivors will be arrested. The incident has caused outrage. Authorities say they were fighting crime. They seized gold, explosives, guns, and money. Most miners were from other countries. The government is tough on illegal mining.

South African Police End Rescue Operation At Abandoned Gold Mine, 78 Bodies Retrieved

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has revised its estimate of the number of illegal miners trapped in an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West.
Initially, a local community member had reported that around 4,000 to 4,500 miners were underground, but SAPS now estimates that between 350 and 400 miners are refusing to resurface.
The situation remains tense, with reports suggesting that several miners may have died, though only one body has been retrieved so far.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone had initially told SABC News on Tuesday that the estimates from the community could not be confirmed.
However, on Thursday, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told Newzroom Afrika that the earlier figure of 4,000 to 4,500 miners was “exaggerated.” <a href="https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/400-illegal-miners-refuse-resurface-stilfontein/">Said Mathe</a>:
<blockquote>
In terms of the numbers, we do feel that the numbers are being exaggerated. We have pulled all resources and mobilised all resources to work on this particular case.
Police have been collecting information. We have our intelligence operatives on the ground that are working closely with key stakeholders.
Police have managed to estimate the numbers to be between 350 and 400. We don’t dispute that there are hundreds of illegal miners that are underground and refuse to resurface.
We’re only disputing the exaggeration of the thousands that are still stuck underground.
</blockquote>
Despite repeated efforts by police to convince the illegal miners to resurface, Brigadier Mathe confirmed that their pleas have been ignored. Said Mathe:
<blockquote>
We have been making the call to the miners to resurface and as a responsible government. We have gone to great lengths to try and communicate to ensure that all these illegal miners resurface safely.
We have gone as far as writing posters and sending them down to the shafts. Police sent a negotiator as well and allowed food and water to be delivered down to these illegal miners to allow them to gain strength so that they will be able to come out. But those efforts fell on deaf ears.
Police are now in a situation where these illegal miners refuse to resurface and cooperate with the SAPS. We have no choice but to stamp the authority of the state.
We are not backing down as law enforcement, we have the responsibility to combat and prevent all incidences of criminality and illegal mining is one of them.
</blockquote>
Two weeks ago, at least 500 illegal miners emerged from abandoned mines in Orkney, North West Province, after succumbing to starvation and dehydration as Operation Vala Umgodi task teams monitored the area.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hundreds of illegal miners are stuck in a mine in South Africa, but they are refusing to come out even though the police are asking them to. The police initially thought there were thousands of miners stuck, but now they believe there are only about 350 to 400. The police have been trying to help the miners with food and water, but the miners are not listening. The police are trying to get the miners to come out safely, but they might have to use force if they don't cooperate.

Illegal Miners In South African Mine Not Trapped, But "Refusing" To Resurface - Police

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has expressed his support for Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who recently insisted that the government would not attempt to rescue the illegal miners trapped underground—reportedly numbering in the thousands.
The statement has sparked intense debate across the country, after Ntshavheni labeled the stranded miners as “criminals” and declared that the government would “smoke them out.”
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Ntshavheni said that the government would not put the lives of police officers and military personnel at risk by sending them down the shafts to rescue what she referred to as “criminals.”She said:
<blockquote>
We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted [sic].
We didn’t send them there, and they didn’t go down there for the good benefit or for the good intentions for the Republic. So, we can’t help them.
Those who want to help them, they must go and take the food down there. They will come out, we will arrest them.
</blockquote>
Commenting on X, McKenzie expressed his support for Ntshavheni, adding that there should indeed be “lots of smoke.” He wrote on X in response to a clip of Ntshavheni’s remarks:
<blockquote>
Thank you Minister (Ntshavheni), let there be smoke, lots of smoke… Why don’t we get them some pizza with extra cheese toppings and a few bottles of wine whilst they making they mind up if they want to resurface ? Guns &amp; grenades are being hidden down there, these guys are buying time, no one is trapped, they are simply refusing to come up &amp; out.
</blockquote>
Another South African, Lindo Mnisi, concurred with McKenzie, saying criminality should never be tolerated. He wrote:
<blockquote>
The South African government must deal decisively with these criminals. Anybody who stands firm against illegal foreigners and criminals, will be supported and protected by all of us. Thank you Minister Ntshavheni for the decisive stance. We must stop tiptoeing around illegalities. Smoke them out!
</blockquote>
On the other hand, Helen Zille, federal chair of the Democratic Alliance, has called for a more empathetic approach to the issue of trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West.
Commenting on X in response to a post by Newzroom Afrika, Zille said that the situation should be handled with compassion, as it directly impacts people’s lives.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Gayton McKenzie supports Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's tough stance on illegal miners trapped underground. Ntshavheni called the miners "criminals" and said the government will not rescue them. McKenzie agrees and says there should be lots of smoke to force the miners out. Lindo Mnisi also supports this stance. However, Helen Zille believes a more empathetic approach is needed for the trapped miners. This has caused a big debate in South Africa. Some say criminals should not be helped and should be persecuted, while others believe compassion should be shown.

Gayton McKenzie Backs Ntshavheni’s Tough Stance On Illegal Miners, Says "Let There Be Lots Of Smoke"

Helen Zille, Federal Chair of South Africa’s second-largest political party, the Democratic Alliance, has called for empathy in handling the issue of trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West.
Thousands of illegal miners are reportedly trapped in disused mines in Stilfontein, sparking a national debate.
At a post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, stated that the government would not attempt to rescue the trapped miners, instead opting to “smoke them out.” She said:
<blockquote>
We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted [sic].
We didn’t send them there, and they didn’t go down there for the good benefit or for the good intentions for the Republic. So, we can’t help them.
Those who want to help them, they must go and take the food down there. They will come out, we will arrest them.
</blockquote>
The government’s refusal to help the miners has led to widespread debate across South Africa, with varying opinions on the best course of action.
Commenting on X in response to a Newzroom Afrika post, Zille said that the situation should be handled with empathy, as it directly impacts people’s lives. She said:
<blockquote>
Come on. The minister is talking about human beings here. People facing a perilous life-threatening calamity must be rescued.
Arrest and prosecute them for breaking the law. But don’t leave them to perish in horrific circumstances. What happened to Ubuntu?
</blockquote>
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), supported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), have descended on the area and sealed off the routes through which community members supply food and water to the illegal miners underground, enabling their ongoing and indefinite illegal mining activities.
A community member who volunteered to go underground this week reported back that some of the trapped miners have died, while others are critically ill.
The community representative estimated that around 4,500 miners remain underground, too afraid to resurface due to the risk of arrest.
Meanwhile, AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa told Newzroom Afrika that miners, including those employed by formal mining companies, face daily dangers. He said:
<blockquote>
Workers are being killed every day, even in the regulated mines, therefore, there is no law. You can’t blame people who go and seek for livelihood because of this government that is so incompetent.
They called [striking mineworkers at Marikana in August 2012] criminals. I do not know now how they can be able to distinguish between criminals and workers.
Thirty-four mineworkers were killed, fighting for economic emancipation by the very same government.
Today they have the guts to say let’s smoke them out, those criminals. The same government has made this environment very fertile for illegal mining.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Helen Zille wants to help trapped illegal miners in South Africa. The government doesn't want to rescue them, calling them criminals. There is a debate on how to help the miners. Some people think they should be saved, others think they should be arrested. Many miners are trapped underground and some have died. The government is sealing off routes that supply food and water to the miners. The president of a mining union says even legal miners face dangers. People are questioning the government's response to the situation.

"What Happened To Ubuntu?": Helen Zille Calls For Humane Approach To Trapped Illegal Miners

South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, on Wednesday, said that the government will not attempt to rescue illegal miners trapped underground in Stilfontein, North West. Instead, she said authorities would take measures to “smoke them out.”
During a post-Cabinet media briefing, Ntshavheni said the government would not assist “criminals”. She said:
<blockquote>
We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted.
We didn’t send them there, and they didn’t go down there for the good benefit or for the good intentions for the Republic. So, we can’t help them.
Those who want to help them must go and take the food down there. They will come out, we will arrest them.
</blockquote>
The minister’s comments have sparked a storm of reactions. Some people support her strong stance, while others criticise her, saying her words show a lack of empathy for the families who are desperate for help in finding their miners.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Phillip Mankge, acting deputy general secretary of NUM, called the minister’s remarks “inhumane” and “irresponsible.” He said:
<blockquote>
As NUM we would like to categorically clear that we do not support the statement. In fact it is inhumane and irresponsible of the minister to utter such words when the people are trapped underground.
What is wrong with African people when they want to go back to their primitive mining stage, to say they want to mine themselves because we have an abundance of gold, chrome and all sorts of minerals in South Africa?
</blockquote>
Around 4,000 illegal miners are still trapped underground in an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West, with reports suggesting that some may have already died.
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, a police spokesperson from North West, told SABC News that the police are working with local community members to help bring the miners to safety.
However, he also said that once the miners are brought to the surface, they will be arrested.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The South African government will not rescue illegal miners trapped underground, but will try to get them out by smoking them out. The government sees the miners as criminals and will not help them. Some people support this tough stance, while others say it lacks empathy for the families of the miners. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) criticizes the minister's remarks as inhumane and irresponsible. Around 4,000 miners are trapped, and some may have already died. The police are working to bring them to safety, but they will be arrested once they are rescued.

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