A community representative in Stilfontein in the North West has confirmed the authenticity of a recent letter making rounds on social media platforms indicating that there is cannibalism taking place underground at shaft 11 due to starvation.

Hundreds of illegal miners are suspected to still be underground.

More than 30 illegal miners and nine bodies have been retrieved so far, since community volunteers started with their retrieval operation last month.

“Yes, we did receive such a letter during this week. It was written that way that people are starting to eat human flesh now. But now we have been saying this thing for a long time that the situation underground is very dire. But whatever line of communication we have with those underground, is through a letter and all the letters we have received the police have seen them. So, we cannot deny saying they are not eating human flesh, because we can see everyone who has been retrieved there in which the state, he is in. So, we cannot say they are lying,” says Johannes Qankase, Community leader.

However, the police could not confirm nor deny the authenticity of the letter.

“Police are aware of the allegations of cannibalism at the Stilfontein Mine. This came after a letter was sent up by these illegal miners indicating that they are hungry, and they need more food. This allegation cannot be confirmed or denied at this stage. As I said, it was sent to us via a letter. But at this stage no physical proof to that effect,” says Adele Myburgh, North West Provincial Police Spokesperson.

Khuma, Stilfontein | Khuma residents await retrieval operation: