“We cannot close the mines because people are living there. Society is pushing, [but] we said to wait and check to see if there is anyone there [before closing the mines],” he said.
“There were calls that Mpumalanga close the mine but doing so will be committing genocide,” he said, adding that they were in discussion with department of minerals on how to address the issue of disused mines.
Macie also denied the allegations that members of Operation Vala Umgodi are denying those who want to help by taking food to illegal miners.
“If they want food they must come out.”
National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola was to visit the area later in the day to monitor operations to rescue the miners that are still underground.
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