Volunteers Discover Body Parts in Stilfontein Mine Shaft During Rescue Operation

In a chilling development from the Stilfontein mine shaft in North West, volunteers report that, while most surviving illegal miners have been rescued, many body parts of deceased miners remain trapped in the deep shaft. The Stilfontein Crisis Committee confirmed that the state-sponsored rescue mission, which began earlier this week, has uncovered 246 illegal miners, including 128 from Mozambique, 80 from Zimbabwe, and five South Africans.

However, amid the rescue efforts, Christopher Rutledge of the Stilfontein Crisis Committee revealed that, although no further survivors have been found, numerous dismembered body parts are still present in the mine. Rutledge described how miners, attempting to escape, had fallen and disintegrated in the shaft.

Also Read: Stilfontein Illegal Mine Rescue: 152 Miners Retrieved, 60 Dead 

“It looks like, in attempts to escape the shaft, some miners tried to come up and in the process of falling down, their bodies were disintegrated,” Rutledge told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. “It has been very difficult for volunteers to retrieve those body parts. There are also other parts of the shaft where bodies have fallen too far for rescue operations.”

As of the latest update, 78 bodies were recovered through the MRS rescue service operation, with an additional nine bodies recovered by the community, bringing the confirmed total to 87. Despite these efforts, many miners have disappeared without a trace.

Rutledge expressed doubt about the possibility of recovering the remaining remains, given the current situation and the government’s slow intervention in the crisis. “Given the attitude of the State, we are very unlikely to retrieve those remains,” he said.

The rescue operation in Stilfontein has sparked significant tension between the government, activists, and local community members. Activists have condemned the government’s delayed action, arguing that the miners were trapped and needed immediate assistance. The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in North West has criticized the government’s response, claiming that officials initially wanted the miners to remain underground. Mzukisi Jam, Sanco spokesperson, sarcastically praised the government’s efforts, saying, “We should applaud the State for their initial plan to smoke these people out, it has worked. Thank you very much.”

While tensions remain high, the community continues to demand accountability and further action from the government to retrieve the bodies of the miners and provide closure to their families.

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