In Stilfontein, a town in the North West province of South Africa, a large-scale kidnapping has taken place. Armed criminals have taken hundreds of illegal miners hostage in an abandoned gold mine and are forcing them to work. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, the miners who have surfaced have confirmed that they are being guarded by heavily armed men who are compelling them to dig for gold. They are forced to work in exchange for food and water, as per Mathe. At least 500 illegal miners are still underground, many in poor health conditions.
Initially, the police believed that the miners were refusing to come out of the abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein out of fear of arrest. They estimated that there were up to 4000 people underground. Due to safety concerns, the South African government has so far declined to send rescue teams into the long-abandoned shafts. Mathe stated, “The armed men are dangerous. As soon as someone goes down there, they take them hostage.” In addition, the shafts are unstable and partially flooded. However, there are plans to lower an unmanned cage into the depths to bring up miners who manage to reach the opening.
The fight against illegal mining has been ongoing for years in South Africa. Since mid-August, 1259 illegal miners have been arrested in Stilfontein and other abandoned mines, according to the police. A body has also been brought to the surface. South Africa has been struggling for decades to combat illegal mining. Particularly, undocumented foreigners from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Lesotho, or Mozambique illegally enter abandoned mines in the hope of finding gold.
Surrounding communities have raised concerns about increased security risks and environmental damage due to illegal activities. South Africa is one of the world’s top gold-producing countries.
