All the victims held hostage – some as far as 1,8km underground – at a mine in Westonaria by alleged illegal miners have been rescued and are in good health.
Sergeant Audrey Sefara, Westonaria Police spokesperson, confirmed on Wednesday, 20 March, that more than 20 people were held captive for a lengthy period of time after being lured to Westonaria and told that they were going to work at a mine. The victims come from different areas in different provinces.
Sefara explained that on Friday, 8 February, two victims were lured to Westonaria after being told that they were going to work at a mine. One month later, on Friday, 8 March, four missing persons reports were opened for people who were taken from Welkom on the pretext of getting a job underground in Westonaria.
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“They were informed that the mine employees would be able to take them underground to mine without any problem, as long as they would be able to pay after the job was completed. On arrival in Westonaria, they were taken to an unknown veld were they met other people waiting.
“They were then threatened with firearms and told to go underground using a small hole in the ground with a rope that was hanging outside. One of the victims informed them that the place they were at was not a mining area but a ventilation system. Shots were fired, the victims became frightened, and went underground. According to the victims, there were 22 victims underground.
“The victims could communicate with the suspects by writing a letter and sending it via a rope that was dropped by the suspects. The victims managed to send a message from one of their cellphones and informed their family members of what had happened.
“Later they were again instructed to provide their families’ details so that they could be told to pay a ransom of R10 000 per person to be released.”
Sefara added that on Tuesday night, 12 March, a rope was lowered with a letter saying that a certain person must come up because the family was bringing a ransom of R10 000 for his release.
“He was then taken to an unknown place of residence for the night. The next day, Wednesday, 13 March, the family came to Westonaria to exchange the ransom for his release, and the police were on stand-by while the deal was in progress. After the deal was completed, the police pounced on the suspects and the victim was rescued and the money was found. Three suspects aged 26, 28 and 36 have since been arrested and have appeared in the Westonaria Magistrates’ Court already, on charges of kidnapping, extortion and possession of two unlicensed firearms as well as ammunition. They will remain in custody.
“The police were taken to the veld were the victims were held captive. They then requested assistance from Sibanye Mine to retrieve them. The Mine Rescue Services and security personnel came to assess the area.”
Sefara added, “On Friday, 15 March, Sibanye employees with the help of engineers, mine rescue services and police worked throughout the night to open the area. On Saturday, 16 March, during the day, 18 victims aged between 24 and 39 were retrieved from about 900m underground. They were checked by EMS and found to be in good health. The rescue operation continued for other victims who were believed to be about 1,8km underground, and by Sunday, 17 March, all the victims were rescued and in good health.”
Colonel Selvan Moonsamy, the Westonaria Police station commander, applauded the Westonaria Tracing team and other teams within the station, including house breaking, crime office members, communication and social crime for their hard work and dedication to making sure the suspects were traced and apprehended.
He also thanked all stakeholders and police members for their joint efforts and tireless work over several days in order to make sure that the victims were rescued.
He further requested the community to refrain from illegal activities and to report any criminal activity in the vicinity. He also said families should come forward as soon as they realised that a family member was missing.
Anyone with information that can assist with the investigation is requested to please contact the Westonaria Police on 011 278 5300/ 5395/ 5396 or alternatively to contact the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or to send an SMS to the Crime Line on 32211. Informants may remain anonymous.
