11.08.2026 17:11
In an abandoned mine in South Africa's North West province, 14 illegal miners lost their lives due to a rockfall, and 8 people were injured. It was announced that most of those who died in the accident near Rustenburg in the Nkaneng area were citizens of Lesotho. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to find those trapped underground. Despite the deployment of the military and strict measures against the illegal mining crisis known as 'zama zama' in the country, deadly disasters cannot be prevented.
The Republic of South Africa is struggling to stop the crisis of illegal mining, which is carried out through unlawful means in abandoned mine shafts and claims hundreds of lives every year.
In the country's North West province, a rockfall in an inactive mine shaft resulted in the deaths of 14 illegal miners according to preliminary findings, with 8 people injured.
THOSE WHO DIED ARE LESOTHO CITIZENS
The accident occurred in an abandoned mine in the Nkaneng area near the city of Rustenburg. North West Provincial Police Spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh confirmed in a statement that the majority of those who lost their lives in the collapse were citizens of the neighboring country Lesotho.
While the 8 injured miners were taken to the hospital by ambulances dispatched to the scene, it is stated that many workers, whose number has yet to be determined, may be trapped underground. A large-scale operation launched by police and search-and-rescue teams to reach the miners under the rubble is ongoing.
THE NAME OF THE DANGER: ZAMA ZAMA
These illegal activities, which cause deaths in the country, are called "zama zama" (those trying their luck) in the local language. Thousands of unregistered miners risk their lives by entering abandoned shafts with no safety measures or infrastructure to extract gold and precious minerals.
GANGS AND ORGANIZED CRIME NETWORKS ARE GROWING
Authorities state that illegal mining activities in the region are not merely an occupational safety issue but are directly linked to organized crime groups. In these areas controlled by armed gangs, serious security problems such as extortion, inter-gang conflicts, smuggling, and infrastructure destruction are emerging.
MILITARY DEPLOYED
Following the escalating violence and security threats, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to the region to support the police.
OPERATION TOLL: 90 DEAD, THOUSANDS DETAINED
Despite the military and police measures taken, fatal incidents cannot be prevented. Recently, striking results were achieved in large-scale operations lasting for weeks in the Stilfontein area west of Johannesburg.
While approximately 2,000 illegal miners surrendered and came to the surface due to hunger and the police blockade, it was reported that around 90 miners lost their lives during the operation and siege process. Operations by teams against illegal mining networks continue across the country.