Emergency teams map out their rescue plans for two illegal miners trapped in a disused mine shaft in Roodeport.
Image: City of Joburg EMS
Emergency teams are expected to resume rescue efforts for illegal miners trapped at a disused mine in Florida in Johannesburg.
At the weekend, reports began trickling that a group of men were trapped at the disused Rand Leases Gold Mine in Roodepoort.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community (MMC) Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, said the illegal miners, often referred to as zama zamas could be heard screaming for help.
According to the City of Joburg, two miners are still underground.
"City of Joburg Emergency Management Services Rescuers, South African Police Service Search and Rescue Unit, Mine Rescue Services SARZA and Gauteng EMS rushed to the site," confirmed City of Joburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi.
Tshwaku, said emergency teams suspended the search late on Sunday afternoon to protect the safety of Search and Rescue technicians and all personnel on site.
"Operations will resume on Monday from 8am..The affected families and community leaders have been briefed and urged to ensure that residents stay away from the area, as there is a high risk of falling into the disused mine shaft," he said.
This comes just weeks after 78 bodies of illegal miners were pulled up from a disused gold mine in Stilfontein in the North West.
The SA Human Rights Commission has intensified its investigation into Operation Vala Umgodi, escalating it to a national inquiry. The Commission said it will look at the policy framework around artisanal mining.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
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