South Africa’s Illegal Gold Mining: 78 Dead, Over 100 Feared Lost as Crackdown Sparks Outrage

The shadow of tragedy looms over South Africa’s North West province, where a grim rescue operation is underway at an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein. South Africa’s government faces growing criticism over its harsh crackdown on illegal mining after cutting off food and water to miners trapped underground, with at least 78 bodies recovered from an abandoned shaft this week. Rescuers continued efforts for a third day on Wednesday following a court-mandated rescue order. A police spokesperson confirmed that 166 people had been pulled out alive, but more than 100 others are feared to have died from starvation and dehydration. The incident has intensified debates about human rights, safety enforcement, and the broader crisis of illegal mining plaguing the country.