Two South African soldiers die chasing illegal miners

Two South African soldiers were killed on Friday, July 17, 2026, after falling into an abandoned mine shaft while pursuing suspected illegal miners west of Johannesburg. The fatalities are the first since the military was deployed earlier this year to assist police in a nationwide crackdown on crime and illicit mining.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. at the disused CRD Mine in the Roodepoort area. According to authorities, soldiers on an anti-illegal mining patrol spotted individuals emerging from underground workings and gave chase into a tunnel. During the pursuit, the two soldiers slipped and fell into an open, vertical shaft. Specialized emergency response teams, including Mine Rescue Services, were immediately dispatched. The South African National Defence Force later confirmed that recovery operations had been completed and the bodies of both soldiers had been retrieved.

The military is now working to formally identify the deceased and notify their next of kin. The names of the soldiers will be released after their families have been informed. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, Secretary for Defence Bereng Mthimkhulu, and Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani...