Central SA
Three days underground: Kimberley mine continues with pumping of water─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:30 Thu, 19 Feb 2026
As rescue teams continue working around the clock to reach the five miners trapped at Ekapa Mine’s Joint Shaft in Kimberley, attention is turning to what the coming hours may hold.
Minister of mineral and petroleum resources Gwede Mantashe will visit the Ekapa mine on Friday (20/2), where five workers have been trapped 890m underground in Tunnel 6 since Tuesday morning (17/2). As of Thursday, the miners have been trapped for more than 50 hours.
Mining operations were suspended on Thursday as efforts to rescue the trapped workers continue. The Mineral Council of South Africa has sent two experts to the mine to help support management and affected families.
Sol Plaatje municipality has called for a display of solidarity amid the mud rush incident at the mine, and has urged the Kimberley community and the country at large to hold the trapped five mineworkers in prayers and thoughts.
“We remain hopeful the search and rescue operation will end in the safe return of the five trapped mineworkers despite communication having been cut off for more than 48 hours,” said Sol Plaatje spokesperson Thabo Mothibi.
“Let this unfortunate incident bring us closer together as we rally behind the families and colleagues of the five trapped mineworkers. We also convey our warm thoughts to all stakeholders.”
Sol Plaatje emergency services will forever dutifully provide support and are prepared to render assistance should additional resources or intervention be required, he said.
Meanwhile, labour representatives have criticised the rescue efforts. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Saftu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, expressed deep concern and shock that more than 50 hours had passed with five people still trapped underground.
It was distressing that families, unions, and the public had not received regular updates from mine management, Vavi said. It was “shocking” that operations at other parts of the mine were reportedly continuing as normal under the circumstances.
“At least management could suspend all operations and focus entirely on rescuing the trapped workers. Survival in a mudslide depends largely on luck.
“Workers caught directly in the flow of water and mud may have little chance to escape, while those who see it coming might find refuge in underground channels or corners.”
The loss of communication raises fears the miners could either be sheltering somewhere underground, or that the worst may have occurred.
• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.
