Trapped miners resort to cannibalism after police block food

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Two survivors have described the harrowing conditions that led trapped miners to commit unthinkable acts to survive. Speaking softly, one of the men recounted how colleagues resorted to cannibalism after being trapped nearly a mile underground without food or water. “They cut parts of legs, arms, and ribs for sustenance,” he shared. The survivors, who refused to participate in such acts, admitted they were forced to eat cockroaches when their provisions ran out.

The grim accounts have emerged from a mining disaster in South Africa’s North West province, where 78 bodies and 246 survivors were recently pulled from abandoned shafts of the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine near Stilfontein. Police had blocked food and water supplies to force illegal miners - known as “zama zamas,” a term meaning “those who take a chance” - to the surface.

South Africa’s government has taken a hardline stance on illegal mining, a practice it claims is orchestrated by organized criminal networks. Authorities justified their decision to block supplies, arguing it was unsafe to confront the armed gangs directly. However, critics have labeled the incident a humanitarian crisis, accusing the police of negligence.

Over 1,300 miners surrendered and faced charges of illegal mining and deportation. Yet, reports surfaced that many miners were either too weak to ascend or trapped underground. Community protests and court orders eventually compelled authorities to provide aid and employ rescue teams.

Images of emaciated miners emerging from the depths and body bags being brought to the surface have drawn international condemnation. Trade unions and activists have described the incident as “one of the most horrific displays of state wilful negligence in recent history.”

Survivors have shed light on the grim conditions underground. Initially, they earned approximately $400 monthly, working on supply lines that ferried food, alcohol, and medicine into the shafts. However, when police cut off supplies in August, survival turned desperate. Briefly resumed deliveries were hoarded by underground gang leaders, leaving many miners to fend for themselves.

Authorities have identified Lesotho national James “Tiger” Tshoaeli as the alleged ringleader of the illegal operation. Tshoaeli, accused of hoarding food and enforcing brutal punishments, is believed to be responsible for multiple deaths underground. In a controversial turn of events, Tshoaeli escaped police custody earlier this month, allegedly with the help of corrupt officers.

Critics argue that the incident exposes systemic failures within law enforcement. Ian Cameron, chairman of Parliament’s police committee, has called for a thorough investigation. “If the police denied miners safe exit, resulting in mass deaths, there must be accountability,” he stated. Tshoaeli’s escape has further raised questions about police complicity in the events.

South Africa’s economy suffers losses of $3 billion annually due to illegal mining. The country, rich in gold and other minerals, is riddled with over 6,000 abandoned mines, which lure impoverished miners willing to take life-threatening risks. With a 32% unemployment rate, the zama zamas reflect the country’s socio-economic struggles.

Despite the tragedy, mining officials have deflected blame. Gwede Mantashe, the mining minister, remarked, “If you go to a dangerous place like an abandoned mine and starve to death, how is that the state’s responsibility?”