Some 150 illegal miners 'trapped' at Sabie gold mine
At least three suspected illegal miners have died in an underground shaft at an abandoned mine in Sabie.
Mpumalanga police say another 150 suspected illegal miners are believed to have been trapped underground since Tuesday.
Six of the miners have since resurfaced.
"Police and security were patrolling around the farms in the area when they encountered four men who appeared to be fleeing for their lives,” said police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli
"These men, who were found to be suspected illegal miners, informed the security guards that they and others were trapped inside an abandoned mine.
"Two foreign nationals, aged 23 and 24, along with four South Africans, were successfully rescued from the mine.”
Mdhluli said the rescued miners claim they were forced to mine gold in dangerous conditions.
"Tragically, three individuals lost their lives while trapped inside the mine shaft. It is believed that the ones running this illegal operation could possibly be heavily armed.”
The incident is believed to be related to a shootout between suspected illegal miners and police in Sabie last week.
A police officer was wounded in the attack.
Police have been intensifying Operation Vala Umgodi, a campaign targeting illegal mining, in Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, Gauteng, and the Free State.
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