NATIONAL: At least 14 illegal miners (commonly known as Zama-Zamas) died tragically on Monday night, 10 August 2025 when the mine walls collapsed on them. 

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West Province, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, has confirmed the deaths of 14 illegal miners at the Nkaneng dumping site in Bojanala Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg).

The incident was reported to the police at approximately 21h00 on Monday, 10 August 2026.

“Preliminary information indicates that a group of suspected zama-zamas was conducting an illegal mining operation at a dumping site. A permit had been granted to a company to extract PGM (Platinum Group Metals) in the area. The group of zama-zamas was allegedly manually digging in an excavated area when the walls caved in, trapping the illegal miners inside.

“Nearby mine security was informed of the incident by a fellow zama-zama who, after reporting the incident, disappeared. Most of the deceased are understood to be Basotho nationals,” said SAPS.

Eight people who were rescued have been admitted to a local hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment. Three were discharged shortly after receiving treatment and were detained for contravention of the Immigration Act. The remaining five are still being kept in hospital under police guard.

Authorities are continuing to assess the situation amid concerns that an unknown number of illegal miners may still be trapped underground. 

Adams described the incident as a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with illegal mining.