Successful operation retrieves 153 alleged illegal miners in Sabie
An operation in Sabie that was carried out at an abandoned mine called South Mine to retrieve alleged illegal miners trapped underneath has been completed.
The operation commenced on Tuesday and was completed on Friday evening.
A total of 153 alleged illegal miners were brought to the surface, with three bodies retrieved on Wednesday. No injuries have been reported during the operation, not among the individuals brought to the surface, nor the law-enforcement personnel involved.
The diverse team involved in the operation included stakeholders from a mining company, security companies, government departments such as the SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Health (Emergency Medical Services), and the South African National Defence Force.
The national commissioner of the SAPS, General Fanie Masemola, accompanied by divisional commissioner: detective and forensic services, Lieutenant General Hilda Khosi Senthumule, and divisional commissioner for visible policing and operations, Lieutenant General Maropeng Johanna Mamotheti, and the acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi visited the site on Thursday.
Among the 153 individuals brought to the surface, most are foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, with some South Africans also included in the group.
Major General Mkhwanazi has expressed his appreciation for the teamwork, professionalism and cooperation displayed during the operation.
“The investigation into the illegal mining activities has already begun to ensure that justice is served. We plead with everyone to allow us to conduct their investigation without being distracted,” he said.
