Rustenburg – Search and rescue operations are continuing at a disused mine that collapsed in the North West, where the bodies of 14 illegal miners were found.
South African Police Service national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the mine walls collapsed on Monday night, 10 August 2026, while the miners were underground.
She said the police were alerted to the cave-in that occurred at the Nkaneng dumping site on the Sibanye mine premises at about 9 pm.
At least 14 suspected illegal miners – known as Zama Zamas – perished in the tragedy.
In addition to the fatalities, eight others were injured in the mine collapse and taken to hospital, where it was established that they were from Lesotho.
Three miners with minor injuries were treated and discharged.
However, police immediately placed them in custody for trespassing and illegal mining. They were also suspected of being in South Africa illegally.
Fourteen bodies have been retrieved from the disused mine, but fears are that more illegal miners may have been trapped underground after the walls collapsed.
A dumpsite on top of the disused mine was thought to have contributed to the cave-in.
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