In the shadowy depths of Stilfontein’s abandoned Shaft 11, illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, have turned to community volunteers with a desperate plea for spiritual cleansing materials to combat the rising deaths underground.
The miners, communicating through handwritten letters in Sesotho and isiXhosa, have repeatedly requested supplies for sustenance and now for ritual purposes. Their most recent appeal included items such as snuff, pipe tobacco, sorghum beer, and disinfectant, which they believe will prevent further fatalities.
A Desperate Message
“Greetings to all. We are alive, although it is difficult. Our parents, we are asking for your help. We have noticed that deaths are continuing in the shaft. We have been relying on prayers to prevent more deaths. We are asking for BB pipe tobacco, Tlokwe sorghum beer and Madubula disinfectant to use them to stop the deaths from increasing,” read the letter, written in Sesotho.
Community leaders have confirmed receiving the letter and assured the miners of continued support. Food supplies, including mageu (a high-energy maize drink), instant porridge, rice, and paraffin, were lowered into the shaft earlier this week, in line with a Gauteng High Court ruling permitting such humanitarian efforts.
Grim Realities Underground
The dire conditions inside Shaft 11 have led to tragic outcomes. Last week, the decomposed body of an illegal miner was retrieved, followed by eight more this week alone. Volunteers, utilizing ropes to navigate the precarious terrain, have been instrumental in recovering bodies and aiding those still alive.
On Friday, two frail miners from Mozambique were rescued and rushed to a hospital under police guard. Earlier the same day, six illegal miners surfaced from Shaft 10 and were arrested by authorities.
Armed Gangs Exploiting the Vulnerable
The six arrested miners reported harrowing conditions underground, where over 800 zama zamas are allegedly held under the control of 36 armed Basotho men. According to the miners, these armed individuals hoard the food supplies sent into the shaft and sell them for grams of gold.
In a chilling revelation, they described a system where six miners are forced to share one kilogram of instant porridge or a single litre of mageu.
Community Response
Community leader Johannes Qankase expressed shock at the claims of exploitation by armed gangs, stating that the volunteers are not responsible for what happens underground.
“The community and volunteers can’t control what happens underground. We can only ensure food is sent in and people are retrieved,” Qankase said.
Despite these challenges, Qankase reaffirmed the community’s commitment to providing assistance. Retrieval efforts, paused on Friday, are expected to resume on Monday.
