Different sources confirmed to South African media that the authorities received a letter from illegal miners trapped in at the Stilfontein mine, saying that people are starving underground and have to eat human flesh because of a lack of food supplies.
"We did receive such a letter during this week. It was written that way that people are starting to eat human flesh now," community representative in Stilfontein Johannes Qankase told SABC broadcaster.
On November 17, the High Court in South Africa's Gauteng province ruled that police must unblock all exits from a mine near Stilfontein to allow emergency services access to the miners amid concerns that police actions, including a ban on giving the miners food and water, violated their human rights.
On Friday, 10 illegal miners resurfaced at Margaret Shaft, and on Saturday, 11 miners resurfaced at Buffelsfontein shaft. Since Monday, a total of 47 miners were placed under arrest for illegal mining, trespassing and contravention of the Immigration Act, the South African Police Service said in a statement.
The battle against illicit mining has centered on the Stilfontein region of South Africa. As authorities continue their operation, over 1,500 illegal miners have emerged through various holes in Stilfontein since November 2024. The effort has also resulted in the recovery of illegal miners' bodies, underscoring the hazardous circumstances surrounding these operations.
The South African government has emphasized that illegal miners are involved in criminal activity and has taken a strong stand against aiding them. In an effort to compel underground miners to come to the surface and risk arrest, authorities have taken steps to cut off supplies to them.
The South African government has emphasized that illegal miners are involved in criminal activity and has taken a strong stand against aiding them. In an effort to compel underground miners to come to the surface and risk arrest, authorities have taken steps to cut off supplies to them.