00:00Tears of anguish from a mother and wife.
00:06Nozi Ponduli's two sons and husband are among the illegal miners currently trapped underground.
00:14The last time they received food was on Saturday.
00:20The main thing we're asking the government for is to send them food.
00:26They need food to survive underground.
00:29If they don't eat, how will they stay alive?
00:32How will they survive?
00:44Last Friday, the South African government announced it was planning a rescue mission.
00:51But a week later, there's been little movement and little explanation about what is causing the delay.
01:11Police say those involved in illegal mining operations should be prosecuted.
01:16And that's why they initially blocked shaft entrances and food supplies from reaching those underground.
01:23Volunteers have pulled 11 people out from the Stilfontaine mine so far,
01:30using ropes and pulleys to bring them to the surface.
01:35Ayanda Ndabeni is one of those rescued in this way.
01:41He says those left underground are feeling the effects of the police blockade.
01:46When I was rescued, the people that were left behind were in bad shape.
01:53They were in very bad shape.
01:57Some of them were on medication, and they'd run out because the police had closed off all communication with those above ground.
02:06There was no food left, and we ran out of water.
02:11Some people were very weak.
02:15Ndabeni says many people from towns around disused mines rely on illegal mining to get by.
02:22Many are former mine workers who know where to find the gold.
02:27We try our hardest to get jobs in the formal sector.
02:32But because there are too few jobs in South Africa, we end up living this life of illegal mining.
02:39It's not something we want to do. Circumstances have pushed us in this direction.
02:46After spending two months underground, and almost not making it out, I ask him this simple question.
02:54You've been rescued. Would you go back underground?
03:00If the police operation stops and they allow us to go back,
03:06if they say they won't arrest us and they let us work, I would go back immediately.
03:16Police say they've detained 15,000 illegal miners since December 2023, and those numbers keep growing.
03:25A sign that many people are willing to risk death and arrest for a chance to survive.
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