The precise number of illegal miners still inside an abandoned gold mine in the South African town of Stilfontein is not known by anyone, says police minister Senzo Mchunu after visiting the scene where rescue operations continue. Over 1500 people have come out of the mine so far, says minister of mineral resources, Gwede Mantashe, adding that only a fraction of those were South Africans. Protests continue at the site where over a dozen bodies have already been recovered. "These ministers are here at the scene of their crime. Hundreds of miners have died underground," says trade union leader, Mametlwe Sebei. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES