Teen Among 14 Illegal Miners Resurfacing from Stilfontein Gold Mine, Police Reports

Fourteen illegal miners have come out of an abandoned gold mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West, since Sunday night, police confirmed.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe explained, "Eleven illegal miners just got out at Shaft 10, which is linked to Shaft 11, proving that they are not trapped - they just refuse to resurface. They chose to come out late at night, thinking police are no more standing static." She added that some miners ran back into the shaft upon seeing the police.

On Monday, Mathe revealed that a 14-year-old boy was among the group. She also stated, "They have confirmed what police have always been saying, that firstly there is no one trapped, and that there are 10 heavily armed Basotho nationals who are guarding them and making them dig for gold." The miners reported that food and water sent down the shaft were taken by these guards, leaving them to work in exchange for basic needs.

Mathe assured that the police operation to address the situation would continue. Tensions have risen as police blocked food and water supplies to force the miners out of the shaft.