Minor among 14 illegal miners arrested in Stilfontein
Police have confirmed that 14 illegal miners emerged from shaft 10, which connects to shaft 11 at the underground old mine in Stilfontein in the North West.
National police say this is an indication the illegal mineworkers are not trapped but rather refuse to resurface.
Amongst the miners is a 14-year-old boy.
Hundreds of illegal miners have resurfaced in the area since early November after police blocked access to food and supplies. It is believed that thousands are still underground.
Police said the miners emerged on Sunday night, believing the authorities had moved. However, some fled back into the shaft upon spotting the police.
“No one is trapped, these miners can come out on their own they are just refusing to resurface because they are avoiding arrest,” said National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
Mathe also revealed that the 14 miners confirmed the presence of heavily armed men underground, validating the police's suspicions.
“So, this just goes to show that our intelligence is at work; they are confirming what we have been suspecting,”
She also stated that the resurfaced miners revealed the food sent underground for the illegal miners was seized by the armed men.
All 14 miners, including the 14-year-old, have been arrested.
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