Body of an illegal miner retrieved from mine shaft in Stilfontein

JOHANNESBURG - The body of an illegal miner has been retrieved from an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein in the North West.

This is the first body retrieved since the beginning of an impasse between illegal miners underground and police at the disused mine.

Despite a bid to force the illegal miners out of the shaft by cutting off crucial food and water supply, the zama zamas are refusing to resurface.

It’s understood community members in the area pulled out the body on Thursday afternoon.

North West police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, said that the identity of the man was yet to be confirmed.

"We can confirm there is a body that has been retrieved but the operation is still underway, although I’m told there is a bit of a challenge but I’m still on my way there."

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