Operations to rescue trapped illegal miners in Roodepoort to continue [VIDEO]

An operation to retrieve illegal miners trapped in a disused shaft at the Rand Lease Mineshaft in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, on Sunday evening is set to continue on Monday morning.

This after search and rescue teams called off their operation on Sunday evening for safety reasons.

Emergency teams, including the City of Joburg’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the South African Police Service (Saps) Search and Rescue Unit and Mine Rescue Services (MRS), were deployed to the disused mine in Florida on Saturday after the desperate cries of trapped zama zamas were heard echoing from the shaft.

Rescue operations

Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the rescue operations halted on Sunday evening due to safety concerns.

“We will be resuming Monday morning to continue with our search and rescue operations in this area.”

City of Joburg Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku said the multi-disciplinary team, including paramedics, search and rescue specialists, and law enforcement officials, was working tirelessly to locate the trapped miners.

“The operation is complex and challenging, requiring careful planning and coordination to ensure the safety of all involved.

“The team utilises specialised techniques to navigate the hazardous terrain and locate the miners,” he said.

Joburg EMS Robert Mulaudzi said search and rescue teams have called off their rescue operations to retrieve illegal miners trapped in a disused shaft at the Rand Lease Mineshaft in Roodepoort, Johannesburg. #IllegalMiners @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/qpPmpjesmK

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) February 10, 2025

ALSO READ: Trapped illegal miners crying for help at Roodepoort mine shaft, rescue efforts ongoing

Illegal mining

Illegal mining continues to plague South Africa, with losses estimated at more than R70 billion annually in gold alone, said the government.

Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has previously disclosed that South Africa has over 6 000 derelict mines.

Therefore, stronger action was needed against this criminal activity, according to Mantashe.

Stilfontein tiger

Meanwhile, North West Acting Police Commissioner Patrick Asaneng has promised to unmask those behind the scourge of illegal mining in South Africa soon.

In January, James Tshoaeli, known as Tiger, evaded arrest after he resurfaced from an abandoned shaft in Stilfontein during a rescue mission.

While he was reportedly arrested and transported by officers, he was never booked into a station or admitted to a local hospital.

Tiger was among almost 2,000 illegal miners occupying the old Buffelsfontein gold mine when police intensified an operation to clamp down on illicit mining in the area.

Additional reporting by Molefe Seeletsa

ALSO READ: Tiger hunt: Police launch manhunt for alleged kingpin of illegal mining at Stilfontein