The body of an illegal miner who was trapped underground in Selby, near Booysens has been retrieved, Johannesburg emergency services said on Sunday.
"The body has been recovered after an extensive rescue. A trench had caved in on him, the rescue team had to remove rocks that had fallen onto the trench," said spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi.
The man, in his 30's was identified by his brother at the scene.
Mulaudzi said the man had been trapped underground since Saturday.
He said the area at the corner of Webber and John streets used to be a mine dump where illegal miners dig for minerals.