Fourteen illegal miners have emerged from an abandoned gold mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West, since Sunday night, according to police.

“Eleven illegal miners exited Shaft 10, which is connected to Shaft 11, proving they are not trapped but simply refusing to resurface. They chose to come out late at night, thinking the police were no longer present,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on Sunday night.

“Others ran back into the shaft as soon as they noticed the police presence,” she added.

On Monday, Mathe mentioned that a 14-year-old boy was among them.

“They have confirmed what police have always stated: firstly, no one is trapped, and there are 10 heavily armed Basotho nationals guarding them and forcing them to dig for gold,” she said.

“They claim the food and water taken down was confiscated by these Basotho guards, and none of them were allowed to eat or drink. They are instead forced to work for food and water,” Mathe added.

She said the operation would continue.

Miners and police have been at odds after the police blocked their supply of food and water, forcing them out of the mine.