Klerksdorp Record, Stilfontein - Plans are in motion to get the illegal miners to resurface in a way that is humane while still upholding the law.
These past weeks the country has been keeping a keen eye on the crisis unfolding near Khuma where operators of the government Operation Vala Umgodi managed to stop supply routes to the illegal miners underground.
This forced more than 1 000 zama-zamas to surrender to the police waiting on the surface. However, an unconfirmed number of illegal miners are refusing to come to the surface, getting weaker by the day without food.
Humanitarian groups are now rallying behind the illegal miners. The High Court in Pretoria issued an interim order allowing the mine shaft in question to remain unblocked, ensuring that the miners exit safely.
Emergency personnel and community volunteers have already rescued several individuals, with ongoing efforts expected to bring more to the surface, the DA’s Cllr Portia Burrell said in a statement. The High Court is hearing a motion by the Society of the Protection of our Constitution this week to allow the miners to resurface unhindered.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday November 18 said the activities of these miners are illegal. “They pose a risk to our economy, communities and personal safety. The Stilfontein mine is a crime scene where the offence of illegal mining is being committed. It is standard police practice everywhere to secure a crime scene and to block off escape routes that enable criminals to evade arrest.’’
He added that SAPS will continue to work with the mining industry to ensure they take responsibility for rehabilitating or closing mines that are no longer operational. “As a country committed to the rule of law and dedicated to upholding the human rights of all, we will continue to work towards a peaceful resolution of the stand-off at Stilfontein.’’
In an incident related to illegal miners, SAPS spokesperson, Col Amanda Funani, confirmed that Klerksdorp police station was evacuated on Wednesday morning November 20.
“Containers that were taken to the police station’s evidence store for safe keeping, were discovered to contain hazardous chemicals. The Vala Umgodi team seized the items found at a crime scene in Klerksdorp. “We are awaiting a hazard team to come and remove the chemicals safely. For now I cannot confirm the chemicals. We are still waiting for our team to come and confirm the chemicals.”
