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Two South African soldiers have died after falling into an abandoned mine shaft during an operation targeting illegal mining activities west of Johannesburg, police have said.
The incident marks the first military fatalities since President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed troops in March to support police efforts against crime and illegal mining across the country.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the soldiers were pursuing suspected illegal miners, commonly known as “zama zamas”, when they fell into an open vertical shaft at the abandoned mine.
“The soldiers fell into an open vertical shaft at the abandoned mine,” Mathe said, adding that the incident occurred during an operation aimed at disrupting illegal mining activities.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said the incident happened at about 6:00 am local time and confirmed that efforts had begun to formally identify the soldiers and inform their families.
The deployment, known as “Operation Prosper,” has involved more than 2,200 soldiers and is expected to continue for one year as authorities intensify efforts to tackle organised crime linked to illegal mining.
Zama zamas, a term meaning “those who try” in the Zulu language, have become a major challenge for South African authorities. Many operate in abandoned gold mines around Johannesburg, where they search for remaining deposits left behind by mining companies.
Authorities have linked illegal mining networks to broader criminal activities, including extortion, violent disputes and organised crime.
The latest incident comes days after security forces arrested more than 200 people during a raid on a gold mine shaft west of Johannesburg. Police said most of those detained were undocumented foreign nationals, including more than 100 people from Lesotho, alongside citizens from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The crackdown forms part of wider efforts by South African authorities to address illegal mining and undocumented migration. More than 150,000 people have reportedly returned to their home countries in recent weeks, according to figures compiled from African nations involved in repatriation efforts.
The deaths of the two soldiers have renewed attention on the dangers faced by security personnel involved in operations against illegal mining networks.
