Langa Mabena
A ZAMA ZAMA (illegal miner), who resurfaced at Stilfontein Mine, South Africa on Christmas Day, shares a chilling story.
He described the horrific experience of witnessing his fellow comrades feast on human flesh. He said they consumed parts of the thigh and biceps.
The zama zama said he would watch others fry and cook human flesh for supper. This was allegedly due to hunger.
Targeting the dead for food
“They would target people who die in attempts to escape underground. They would go for the ones who had just died and would eat most body parts, excluding intestines and the head,” he said.
“It was like a movie. Unfortunately for us, it was a reality that we had to face. People were dying every minute. The sad part is when you attempt to tell people that miners are dying. No one would believe me,” he said.
Father’s desperate choices
A 38-year-old father of six said he went underground to provide for his kids. He explained that he worked as a transporter, assisting people to go underground using a rope.
“I was promised a salary of R9 000 a month. This was my first time doing this job, and unfortunately, on my attempt, Operation Vala Umgodi surfaced. I’m thankful that I’m out and alive,” he said.
The man explained how they resurfaced using steel rods, which were used in the shafts back in the day.
“I had to stay awake for five days. If you make a mistake and fall asleep, you’ll fall and die. I used all my inner-strength to stay alive.
“When we left, there were 15 of us, but only nine resurfaced,” he said.
Witnessing death
Another illegal miner said that he watched others fall off.
“Their bodies would scatter all over as some would slip and fall on top of rocks.”
The 40-year-old said on his way up, he came across 10 dead bodies that were already in a state of decomposition.
They confirmed that there were armed bosses underground, controlling all activities.
“Everybody wanted to come out, including those with pending murder cases. They just wanted freedom.”
The struggle for basic survival
He added that they would eat spoiled maize meal.
“We would cook it and eat it, and you know that if you don’t eat it, you’ll die,” the two friends said.
The friends, who are South African nationals, spent five months underground.
They were in the shafts since 31 July and only resurfaced on Christmas Day, 25 December 2024.
“I came here to get money for my Code 14 licence,” said one zama zama.
The other zama zama said he went inside to make money to fulfil his dreams of being a security guard with a firearm permit. — (www.snl24.com).
Online Reporter