RUSTENBURG - There’s nothing to prove that the eight survivors of the Nkaneng mine dump tragedy were illegal miners.
Instead, two Basotho nationals appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on immigration charges.
Two others were released because their documents remain valid until September.
The men were injured when rubble collapsed at a mine dump in Marikana, burying them.
Fourteen others died.
Like many illegal mining cases, this one went nowhere.
The state failed to prosecute suspected illegal miners for lack of evidence.
Illegal mining is a massive economic, structural, and humanitarian crisis in South Africa.
The country loses an estimated R60 billion to R70 billion a year to illegal mining but new proposed legislation aims to criminalise illegal mining operations, offering hope for change.
Under the new laws, offenders could face up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to R100 million.
eNCA's Bafedile Moerane reports in the video above.
DStv Channel 403
Thursday, 13 August 2026
