Harrowing scenes have emerged from a disused gold mine in Stilfontein, where scores of illegal miners, known locally as "zama zamas," have reportedly been trapped underground for months. The situation has escalated into a humanitarian crisis, with disturbing footage revealing emaciated miners and makeshift body bags containing corpses.

The miners have been underground since South African authorities intensified operations against illegal mining last year. In an effort to deter such activities, food and water supplies were blocked, a policy that some have called "treacherous."

The General Industries Workers of South Africa (Giwusa) released videos depicting the devastating conditions. In one video, dozens of shirtless men sit on a filthy floor, their faces blurred. A voice behind the camera pleads for help, saying, "We need help... this is hunger; people are dying." Another clip shows bodies wrapped in plastic, with a voice claiming that 96 people have died so far.

"This is a Stilfontein massacre," said Giwusa President Mametlwe Sebei during a briefing. He accused authorities of pursuing a "deliberate" policy that led to the miners' deaths.

A rescue operation, ordered by a court last week, is now in its second day. The Department of Mineral Resources, which is leading the effort, is using a cage to retrieve miners from a shaft that extends 2km underground. By the end of Monday, 26 miners had been rescued alive, and nine bodies were recovered.

Makhosonke Buthelezi, a department spokesperson, confirmed that the operation is ongoing but did not clarify whether the priority is rescuing survivors or retrieving bodies.

The exact death toll remains unverified. However, reports indicate that more than 100 miners may have died since the crackdown began. Hundreds are believed to remain underground, while over 1,000 have surfaced in recent months.

The government has announced a joint briefing with the police ministry on Tuesday to provide updates on the rescue efforts. Meanwhile, calls for urgent intervention and accountability continue to mount as the crisis deepens.

This story highlights the human cost of illegal mining and raises questions about the policies implemented to address the issue.