Miners could have ‘turned to cannibalism’ after weeks trapped underground with bodies still below

After blinking into the daylight in Stilfontein, South Africa, the miners were met with police handcuffs – but said that fate was far better than if they’d stayed underground

Eight illegal miners that emerged on Christmas Day from a shaft in Stilfontein, South Africa, are now in police custody amid reports of cannibalism appearing.

In recent months, over 39 illegal miners have resurfaced after weeks spent underground in the poverty-stricken area of Stilfontein, in the country’s northwestern region. The conditions in the shafts are reportedly “scary” by authorities who were stunned after they received letters on Christmas Eve alleging there was cannibalism occurring because of extreme food shortages.

“We got letters that came from underground,” SANCO North West Spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam, told eNCA. “We shared these around. But most disturbing was when they highlighted the situation underground they had resorted to cannibalism. That changes everything. When a human being reaches that stage where cannibalism kicks in. That’s scary.”

Community members have called for the legislation of mining operations in order to help the poverty in the areas. According to Gagasi World, voluntary rescue efforts to save the 12 people still trapped in the mining shafts have been abandoned.

It comes after there were reports of a “mass human rights violation” going on in the mining shafts.

Speaking on local news outlet Newzroom Afrika, an anonymous miner who had left one of the shafts said “I did not even know it was Christmas Day when I came out”.

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“When people went to the mining leaders to ask for food, the leaders would beat them,” they added. “Some of the miners fell sick and died. When other miners tried to leave the shaft, leaders would beat them up.

“What is happening underground is really painful. It’s better to be arrested by police than remain underground in abusive conditions.”

Illegal mining in South Africa is a dangerous but lucrative business, with many people turning to the activity in order to survive. Although the risks are high, gang-controlled towns like Stilfontein are capable of turning huge profits by selling the gold they unearth on the Black Market.

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