Focus on Africa
Child sex abuse uncovered in South Africa's illegal mines
May 19, 2025
Mayeni Jones, the BBC's Africa correspondent, joins fellow journalists Omar Wali and Piers Edwards to discuss harrowing findings of child trafficking and abuse within South Africa's illegal mines. They reveal the dire conditions under which vulnerable children work and their suffering due to exploitation. The conversation also touches on financial scandals in The Gambia and growing public discontent regarding corruption. Additionally, they highlight a landmark legal ruling in Nigeria that addresses negligence in sports, aiming to improve player safety and accountability.
26:36
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Quick takeaways
- Children in South Africa's illegal mines face severe exploitation and sexual abuse due to trafficking and economic desperation.
- A landmark negligence ruling in Nigeria emphasizes the need for improved safety measures and accountability in sports organizations.
Deep dives
Child Trafficking and Abuse in South African Mines
Children as young as 15 are trafficked into illegal mines in South Africa, where they face severe exploitation and abuse. Eyewitness accounts from the Stilfontaine mines reveal that minors are often manipulated into these dangerous situations under false promises of employment. A significant number of these children, believed to be around 30, have been confirmed as underage and allegedly experienced sexual abuse while trapped underground. The dire economic conditions and lack of oversight in the illegal mining industry exacerbate the vulnerability of these children, many of whom are undocumented migrants from neighboring countries.
