subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now
Some of the illegal miners who emerged from the Stilfontein mine in North West. Picture: KABELO MOKOENA.
Some of the illegal miners who emerged from the Stilfontein mine in North West. Picture: KABELO MOKOENA.

Another 18 bodies were retrieved from the disused Stilfontein mine in North West on Wednesday morning.

A further 22 illegal miners were pulled out of the shaft. TimesLIVE understands parts of the shaft are filling up with water.

The rescue operation went ahead at the mine’s shaft 11 despite light rain on Wednesday. Recovery operations to lift the illegal miners from the shaft more than 2km underground are continuing, using a metal cage.

On Wednesday the cage was lowered twice to retrieve the illegal miners and the 18 bodies.

Mzukisi Jam, a community leader and spokesperson for the SA National Civic Organisation in the North West, said though they were relieved the bodies were being retrieved, the loss of life could have been prevented had the government acted earlier.

“Government was forced to do this. When we first engaged with government, there was no-one dead.”

TimesLIVE

subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.