The South African government announced it will not offer assistance to a group of illegal miners trapped inside a closed mine in the North West province, as part of its official stance against illegal mining activities.
The miners, believed to be in the Stilfontein mineshaft, are reportedly suffering from shortages of food, water, and other essential supplies after police blocked access to the entrances used for resupplying them. This action is part of the police operation known as Vala Umgodi, or Close the Hole, intended to cut off supplies to compel miners to surface for arrest.
Authorities had previously indicated that up to 4,000 miners might be underground after receiving information from those who helped three miners recently surface. However, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe countered this claim, suggesting that the actual number may be significantly lower, estimating between 350 and 400 miners.
“We feel that the numbers are being exaggerated. We have deployed maximum resources to this case, including intelligence operatives who are engaging with all stakeholders,” Mathe stated.
On Thursday, the South African ministers of police and defense were expected to visit the mine to discuss the situation with officials and community members. The Stilfontein mine has been targeted as part of intensified police operations since October 18.
It remains unclear how long the miners have been underground, as it’s common for these groups to stay for months, depending on their access to supplies. Mathe reiterated the decision that no police officer, soldier, or government official would enter the abandoned mine due to high risks to life. She also noted that there is information suggesting the miners might be armed.
Since December, police operations against illegal mining have led to the confiscation of over 369 high-caliber firearms, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and significant amounts of cash and uncut diamonds. More than 1,000 illegal miners have surfaced in various locations throughout the North West province, many of whom appeared weak and sick after enduring weeks without adequate supplies.
Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni reaffirmed the government’s position, stating, “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. Criminals are not to be helped. We didn’t send them there.”
Illegal mining persists in South Africa’s former gold-mining regions, where miners venture into closed shafts to search for residual deposits. Many of these individuals come from neighboring countries, and authorities report that such operations are often linked to larger criminal syndicates.
The presence of illegal miners has generated tension in nearby communities, which report crimes ranging from theft to violent assaults. These mining groups are often heavily armed, and conflicts between rival factions sometimes lead to deadly encounters.
Credit: ABC News
