Government’s commitment to rescue operation in Stilfontein questioned

The government has been accused of acting in a criminal manner and breaking the law as questions swirl about the rescue team tasked with retrieving suspected illegal miners underground at Stilfontein.

On Sunday the Pretoria high court ordered several government officials, including the police and mineral resources ministers, to allow “community members, charitable organisations and interested parties” to provide humanitarian aid to the miners, also known as zama zamas, still underground at shafts 10 and 11 and Margaret shaft.

Community-based organisation Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) was granted this interim relief pending the finalisation of the main application which will be heard on Thursday.

Macua, with the General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa), on Monday held a media briefing about the situation.

Meshack Mbangula, for Macua, said they had been trying since 2014 to engage government on “formalising and transforming” the artisanal mining sector.

“[This is] to make sure it becomes a sector that can generate jobs and contribute to the economy of the country. This fell on deaf ears and now as unemployment grows in South Africa people are [looking for new ways] to feed their families.”