Two soldiers plunge to death while chasing zama zamas
The deaths occurred during an anti-illegal mining operation under Operation Prosper.
Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers plunged to their deaths in an abandoned mine shaft while pursuing zama zamas (illegal miners) through underground tunnels in western Johannesburg on Friday morning.
The soldiers were deployed at the abandoned CRD Mine under Operation Prosper, the military’s operation in support of efforts to combat illegal mining.
According to the Department of Defence, SANDF members spotted suspected illegal miners emerging from underground workings at about 6 am.
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A pursuit followed into a tunnel, during which the two soldiers fell into an open, abandoned vertical mine shaft.
“Specialised emergency response units, including Mine Rescue Services and disaster management teams, were immediately deployed to the scene,” the department said.
A recovery operation was launched, but both soldiers were found dead. Their bodies have since been retrieved.
The department said the formal identification process and the notification of the soldiers’ next of kin were under way.
Their names will be released once their families have been fully informed.
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Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, Defence Secretary Dr Berenice Mtiimkulu and SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya extended their condolences to the soldiers’ families, friends and colleagues.
The deaths occurred during an anti-illegal mining operation under Operation Prosper.
