The South African government has made it clear that it will not provide assistance to approximately 4,000 illegal miners trapped in a disused mine in Stilfontein, located in the North West province. The miners, who are believed to be suffering from a lack of essential supplies such as food and water, are stuck underground after the police sealed off the entrances used to deliver supplies.
This action is part of a broader law enforcement operation called Vala Umgodi (Close the Hole), aimed at disrupting illegal mining activities in the region. The operation involves cutting off supply routes to force the miners to surface and face arrest.
Over the past few weeks, more than 1,000 miners from various mines in the North West province have emerged, many of them weak, dehydrated, and suffering from malnutrition after enduring weeks without basic necessities.
This week alone, around 20 miners from the Stilfontein site have surfaced, as police continue to monitor the area to capture those emerging from underground.
Government officials, including Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, have stated that they will not intervene to help the illegal miners. Ntshavheni emphasized that providing assistance to individuals involved in illegal activities is not an option. “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. Criminals are not to be helped; criminals are to be prosecuted,” she said during a press briefing.
Illegal mining is a persistent issue in South Africa, particularly in areas that were once home to thriving gold mines. Many miners, often from neighboring countries, venture into closed shafts in search of remaining gold deposits.
However, these illegal operations come with serious consequences. Police have reported that illegal mining groups are often linked to criminal syndicates that cause trouble in nearby communities, ranging from robberies to violent crimes, including rape. The illegal miners are also known to be heavily armed, and confrontations between rival groups sometimes lead to fatal outcomes.
The government’s hard stance on illegal mining highlights the dangers of such operations, both for the miners themselves and for the surrounding communities. Despite the harsh conditions faced by the trapped miners, the government remains committed to cracking down on illegal mining activities and bringing those responsible to justice.