Kimon de Greef

South Africa

Stories for @newyorker @nytimes @guernicamag & others // Poacher: Confessions from the Abalone Underworld // working on a book about psychedelic toads

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Articles

The violent underworld of Stilfontein’s zama zamas

Dec 4, 2024 | defenceweb.co.za | Guy Martin |Kimon de Greef

Late on the night of 24 November, 14 zama zamas surfaced from deep underground at a disused mine in Stilfontein, where a major operation against illegal mining is ongoing. Police were guarding the shaft’s entrance and arrested them. One of the zama zamas gave his age as 14. The miners were all Mozambican. Their clothes were torn and muddy. Some of them had bare feet.
The violent underworld of Stilfontein’s zama zamas

Dec 4, 2024 | protectionweb.co.za | Kimon de Greef |Guy Martin

Late on the night of 24 November, 14 zama zamas surfaced from deep underground at a disused mine in Stilfontein, where a major operation against illegal mining is ongoing. Police were guarding the shaft’s entrance and arrested them. One of the zama zamas gave his age as 14. The miners were all Mozambican. Their clothes were torn and muddy. Some of them had bare feet.
Stilfontein’s zama-zamas: hired as casual labourers - then forced underground

Nov 28, 2024 | businesslive.co.za | Kimon de Greef

Analystshave estimatedthat illegal mining accounts for about a tenth of SA’s annual gold production, though some mining executives privately believe the true figure is even higher. Based on last year’s production statistics, this amounts to 10 tonnes of gold, worth more than R15bn at current gold prices. This illicit economy endures for a variety of reasons. Hundreds of disused shafts have been left behind by the mining industry. Government regulations about mine closures have been weakly enforced.
'They are caught between police and gangs': The violent underworld of Stilfontein's zama zamas

Nov 28, 2024 | brnw.ch | Kimon de Greef

Mozambican zama zamas emerged from a disused Stilfontein mine, describing gruelling conditions and forced labour under gang control. Stilfontein, a hotspot for South Africa's illegal gold trade, generates millions for criminal syndicates, exploiting abandoned shafts. Miners recount coerced labour, brutal treatment, and survival struggles as authorities crack down on underground operations.
Stilfontein’s dangerous and desperate illegal mining industry

Nov 25, 2024 | defenceweb.co.za | Guy Martin |Kimon de Greef

When zama zamas go hungry deep underground in the abandoned mines where they illegally mine for gold, they sometimes resort to eating a mixture of toothpaste and toilet paper. “You mix a soft porridge with water,” one of the miners said, miming his belly becoming full. “It hurts to swallow.
Stilfontein’s dangerous and desperate illegal mining industry

Nov 25, 2024 | protectionweb.co.za | Kimon de Greef |Ricardo Teixeira

When zama zamas go hungry deep underground in the abandoned mines where they illegally mine for gold, they sometimes resort to eating a mixture of toothpaste and toilet paper. “You mix a soft porridge with water,” one of the miners said, miming his belly becoming full. “It hurts to swallow.
South Africa: Scenes From a Zama Zama Rescue

Nov 21, 2024 | allafrica.com | Kimon de Greef

On Friday 15 November, as news spread that hundreds, if not thousands, of illegal miners were stuck underground without food in Stilfontein, police minister Senzo Mchunu arrived in a blue-light brigade. A convoy of government officials, activists, community members and journalists sped from the town's police station towards the abandoned mine where the zama zamas had been digging for gold before their supplies were cut off in a sweeping clampdown dubbed Vala Umgodi.
'You're just hanging in the dark': Scenes from a zama zama rescue

Nov 21, 2024 | brnw.ch | Kimon de Greef

Hundreds of zama zamas remain trapped underground in Stilfontein after six weeks without food, following a police crackdown under Operation Vala Umgodi. Stilfontein, once a thriving mining town, is now marked by abandoned shafts. The zama zamas reopened sealed mine shafts in 2019 to access gold. On Friday 15 November, as news spread that hundreds, if not thousands, of illegal miners were stuck underground without food in Stilfontein, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu arrived in a blue-light brigade.
Scenes from a zama zama rescue

Nov 20, 2024 | groundup.org.za | Kimon de Greef

On Friday 15 November, as news spread that hundreds, if not thousands, of illegal miners were stuck underground without food in Stilfontein, police minister Senzo Mchunu arrived in a blue-light brigade. A convoy of government officials, activists, community members and journalists sped from the town’s police station towards the abandoned mine where the zama zamas had been digging for gold before their supplies were cut off in a sweeping clampdown dubbed Vala Umgodi.
Stilfontein’s dangerous and desperate illegal mining industry

Nov 18, 2024 | groundup.org.za | Kimon de Greef

When zama zamas go hungry deep underground in the abandoned mines where they illegally mine for gold, they sometimes resort to eating a mixture of toothpaste and toilet paper. “You mix a soft porridge with water,” one of the miners said, miming his belly becoming full. “It hurts to swallow.