Jerusalem community worried delays in illegal miners rescue could cost lives

JOHANNESBURG - Community members from Jerusalem in Roodepoort west of Joburg say they are worried that delays in rescuing two illegal miners trapped at the Rand Leases Gold Mine could cost them their lives.

The pair have been trapped since Saturday after the rope and pulley system they were using to move up and down the shaft snapped.
A platform used in the illicit mining activity also caved in - - leaving them stranded underground.

The operation to rescue zama zamas was called off earlier on Monday due to safety concerns.

But frustrated locals and relatives say they are worried their loved ones won’t survive for long.

 “These people are still there, but no one is telling us this morning if there is still because they managed to push out into the distance where we cannot hear if they are still screaming or not," said community leader Zibuse Memela.

While Memela admits illegal mining is problematic in the area - he says two zama zamas are part of their community.

 “We are here because these both of them are people that are known in this community, and one of them, even myself, I think I know him.”