It is a dark and dangerous world for illegal miners who risk their lives when they go underground in search of gold.
Not only do these men face the dangers of an unstable environment inside the mine shaft, but they face danger from the violent conflicts that take place inside.
Const Styles Maome, communications officer for the Primrose police, informed the GCN that three bodies were recovered from a mine shaft on Main Reef Road, in Primrose, on Sunday (July 21), after a shooting took place underground.
“On Sunday evening our patrol vehicle was approached by two men who reported a shooting that took place underground,” said Maome.
“They said one of their friends was injured.”
In a statement that was given to the Primrose police, the men reported that they were attacked by people who were trying to rob them.
“They informed the police that they were trying their luck in the mine shaft when the robbers shot at them and stole their gold soil,” added Maome.
“One of the illegal miners, who was shot in the buttocks, reported that he and three of his friends were attacked inside the unused mine,” said Lieut Col Lungelo Dlamini, SAPS spokesperson.
SAPS members and the media flocked to Primrose on Monday (July 22), to investigate the allegations.
The police found a group of illegal miners outside the mine shaft.
“We were informed by those who were found outside that there were two groups of illegal miners who went inside to search for the alleged bodies,’ said Maome.
“Our police went to check inside the mine shaft, but it was dark and they could not see anything.
“We waited outside the entrance to the shaft for the illegal miners to return from their search.
“Two bodies were finally brought out of the mine shaft at 2.40pm on Monday, by the illegal miners.
“When they returned they said the third body was in a dangerous place and that they could not go there.
“A metro emergency officer on the scene promised the friends and family of the third man, whose body was still inside, that he would organise a rescue team the following day to search for the body, as it was late at night.”
“The friends and family of the remaining body entered the mine shaft at their own risk at 7pm, and returned with the body at 8.50pm.
“They said they saw other illegal miners still digging underground.
“All three bodies have been taken to the Germiston Mortuary and they have not all been formally identified,” said Dlamini
The Primrose police arrested 16 men at the scene, for illegal immigration, as well as illegal mining.
They were found in possession of bags filled with mine soil and are due to appear in the Germiston Magistrates Court, soon.
An investigation is still underway.
