At least 14 illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, have been found dead in the North West province. Bodies discoveredThe bodies were discovered in an abandoned mine shaft near the Nkaneng informal settlement in Marikana on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. It is believed that the walls of the disused mine caved in while the group of zama zamas were underground. two suspected illegal miners were shot dead in Roodepoort after opening fire on Gauteng police during an intelligence‑driven operation. During the exchange of shots, two suspected illegal miners were fatally wounded,” Sibeko said.