The South African police intensified efforts to force hundreds of illegal gold miners holed in underground shafts to the surface so they can be arrested.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday lives should not be put at risk in a standoff between police and hundreds of illegal miners stuck underground in a disused mine shaft and the miners should be recovered safely.

The Stilfontein mine is a crime scene,” Ramaphosa said, adding that police must secure the area while ensuring the miners' safe return...."