South African authorities confirm 78 deaths in illegal Gold Mine as police operation ends

Stillfontein, South Africa — A months-long police operation at an illegal gold mine near Stillfontein concluded this week, leaving at least 78 people dead and 246 rescued. The South African authorities described the operation as a crackdown on illegal mining, but it has drawn sharp criticism for alleged human rights violations.

Details of the operation

Acting Police Commissioner Patrick Asang reported that 324 individuals were extracted from the mine during the operation. Among them:

• 78 bodies were handed over to pathological services.
• 246 survivors were processed and arrested on charges including illegal immigration and mining.

The majority of those rescued or deceased were foreign nationals:

• 128 Mozambican citizens
• 80 from Lesotho
• 33 Zimbabweans
• 5 South Africans

Authorities confirmed there are no remaining bodies or survivors underground. A final inspection, termed a “mop-up operation,” will be conducted to verify the conclusion of the mission.

Humanitarian concerns and backlash

The operation has been labeled a “state-sponsored massacre” by critics, with accusations of negligence and inhumane treatment. Survivors allege that police actions, including cutting off food and water supplies, contributed to the high death toll. Community leaders and civil society organizations have raised concerns over the removal of essential equipment, such as pulley systems, which allegedly trapped miners underground. Despite these allegations, authorities maintain that they acted to enforce the law and address illegal mining, which cost the South African economy over $3 billion last year.

A crisis beyond the mine

This tragedy underscores broader issues of economic inequality and unemployment driving illegal mining, particularly among vulnerable immigrant populations. Calls for an independent investigation are growing as human rights groups demand accountability and reform in addressing illegal mining activities.