14 illegal miners found dead in Marikana
The bodies were discovered in an abandoned mine shaft.
At least fourteen illegal miners, colloquially referred to as zama zamas, have been discovered deceased in an abandoned mine shaft close to the Nkaneng informal settlement in Marikana, North West province, on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Several other miners sustained injuries during this tragic incident. Colonel Adele Myburg, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), informed The Citizen that Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, the North West Commissioner, is currently en route to the scene to oversee the situation. Police authorities are actively investigating the circumstances that led to these fatalities.
Notably, last month, two suspected illegal miners were shot dead in Roodepoort after engaging in a shootout with Gauteng police officers during an intelligence-driven operation. The shootout transpired in the early hours of Tuesday, 28 July 2026. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, a police spokesperson, disclosed during the operation that officers apprehended several individuals carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The members of Roodepoort police, supported by the West Rand K9 Unit and BAS Security, received reports of a shooting in an open field and promptly proceeded to investigate. Upon arrival, the officers approached the area and encountered the suspects, who allegedly opened fire on the police, triggering the shootout. Sibeko confirmed that no police officers or security personnel sustained any injuries during the incident.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
