Desperate Measures: South African Miners’ Shocking Turn to Cannibalism
In a harrowing incident at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine in South Africa, over 300 illegal miners, known as “zama zamas,” were trapped nearly a mile underground for several months. During this period, authorities implemented a blockade, cutting off their access to food and water in an attempt to force them to surface. Facing extreme starvation, some miners resorted to cannibalism, consuming parts of their colleagues’ bodies to survive.
The standoff resulted in the deaths of at least 78 miners, with some reports indicating the number could be higher. Rescue operations eventually led to the retrieval of 246 survivors and 78 bodies. The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the government’s tactics, with accusations of negligence and human rights violations.
This tragedy highlights the perilous conditions faced by illegal miners in South Africa, who often operate in abandoned and unsafe mines due to economic hardship and lack of employment opportunities.
The incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address illegal mining and provide alternative livelihoods for affected communities.
For a visual account of the conditions faced by the trapped miners, you may find the following video informative: