The bodies were discovered during an intense four-day rescue operation from Monday, 13 January. A total of 246 survivors, some severely emaciated and disoriented, were also brought to the surface. 

After all volunteer rescue workers were safely brought up, Mine Rescue Services (MRS) CEO Mannas Fourie confirmed that cameras and sound detectors were lowered into the shaft to verify that no additional survivors or bodies remained. The operation was in response to the dangerous situation unfolding at the mine, which is notorious for illegal mining activities.

North West police have asked family members of the 78 deceased to come forward for identification. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between 08:00 and 15:00, they may meet with the investigation team at the Stilfontein Police Station.

Inquiries may be directed to Lt. Col. Francois Jacobs at 082 373 8216, said North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone. This identification process is part of ongoing investigations into the deaths at the Buffelsfontein mine.

The bodies and survivors were retrieved after the High Court in Pretoria ordered the government to enlist the assistance of MRS to carry out the operation. The court ruling, dated 10 January, was granted after an urgent application by Zinzi Tom, whose brother Ayanda Tom remains trapped in a shaft.

Before the last phase of the operation, trapped illegal miners, known as zama zamas, sent a chilling letter that highlighted the dire and deteriorating conditions underground. According to reports, the miners had been trapped for weeks, with limited access to food and water, surrounded by decomposing bodies.

The government has been criticised over its handling of the situation. Community leader Johannes Qankase voiced concerns, blaming the police for not taking earlier action. “If the police had acted earlier, we wouldn’t be in this situation, with bodies piling up,” he said, emphasising the growing frustration within the community.

Stilfontein concerned community members assisting with aid for zama zamas in one of the mine shafts. Photo: Screenshot

The scale of the illegal mining activity at Buffelsfontein has been alarming. Reports suggested as many as 2,000 miners worked underground when the situation began to spiral out of control in August last year.

At least 13 children were among those who emerged from the mine before the official rescue operation, said national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. Buffelsfontein is one of South Africa’s deepest mines, with an intricate maze of tunnels and shafts leading as deep as 2.5km underground. 

While police insisted miners could escape through several shafts, many miners refused to leave for fear of arrest. This claim has been disputed by advocacy groups, who argue that hundreds of miners were trapped underground, some perishing from starvation and exposure.

OFM/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh