Stilfontein rescue mission called off , 87 bodies

Loading player...

The rescue operation for suspected illegal miners, both alive and deceased, at the Buffelsfontein gold mine's Shaft 11 in Stilfontein has officially been called off. This decision comes after retrieving 246 alive zama zamas and 87 bodies between Monday and Wednesday. North West acting police provincial commissioner Major-General Patrick Asaneng announced on Thursday afternoon that the rescue mission led by the Mine Rescue Services (MRS) had concluded after confirming that no more bodies or people were inside the shaft. Asaneng stated that a crane was lowered into Shaft 11 to confirm it was empty. Phemelo speaks to Kaya News Reporter, Pitso Molemane North West Health Department Spokesperson, Lucas Mothibedi Volunteer from Khuma in Stilfontein, Mzwandile Mkwayi and Mining Expert, David van Wyk.

16 Jan 3PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Legal Matters

In this week’s Legal Matters our legal expert Nthabiseng Dubazana discusses lawyers accused of stealing more than R1.4 billion of their client’s money and a judgment that found that a woman acquitted of 6 rape charges does not mean that she is innocent.

23 Apr 4PM 57 min

Nearly ‘half of SA teachers’ eye exit in 10 years – study

Nearly half of South African teachers want to leave the profession in the next 10 years -despite many being dedicated to their learners, a study by Stellenbosch University has uncovered. Admin and paperwork are the biggest driver of stress and excessive workloads, 70% of 1,500 teachers indicated in The Teacher…

23 Apr 4PM 19 min

Another fire at Tembisa Hospital this time affecting outpatient care

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has encouraged the public to visit neighbouring hospitals, from Tembisa Provincial Hospital, in case of an emergency, after a second fire broke out at their Outpatient Department. This latest incident comes just days after a separate fire engulfed the hospital’s Accident and Emergency…

23 Apr 4PM 18 min

South Africa braces for heavy rains, cold snap as severe weather hits

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a stark warning to residents as a significant weather change looms over the nation. It is reported that large parts of the country are set to experience heavy rains and a sudden drop in temperatures in the coming days, as a cut-off…

23 Apr 4PM 7 min

Sadtu March Against Austerity Measures in Education

Teachers belonging to the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) protested against education budget cuts at the National Treasury, Department of Basic Education and Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. The march was part of a global campaign led by Education International under…

23 Apr 4PM 7 min

All episodes