Resurfaced Stilfontein illegal miner: 'Police are just standing and watching'

Clement Manyathela interviews Brigadier Athlenda Mathe (National Police Spokesperson), Philile Ntuli (Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission) and Mr X, a resurfaced illegal miner.

Listen below.

Police continue to maintain a presence in and around the area as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, a crackdown targeting illegal mining activities.

On Saturday, Judge Brenda Neukircher of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria provided a lifeline to the illegal miners trapped underground by ordering authorities to permit the delivery of food and water to those who are starving and dehydrated.

This decision follows police efforts to seal off the mine shaft in an attempt to eliminate illegal mining operations at the abandoned site, effectively severing the miners' connection to the nearby community.

One miner, referred to as Mr X, explains to Manyathela that the rope system used to bring miners to the surface can only accommodate one person at a time.

He says miners fear being arrested but must resurface as critical supplies run out.

He notes that rather than assisting in their safe exit, the police appear to be merely 'standing and watching'.

Brigadier Mathe explains that SAPS officers lack the training, expertise, and capacity to conduct underground rescues.

Mr X says there are no formal bosses either underground or above. Miners work independently to extract gold to support themselves and their families, which then gets sold on the black market.

He says he would return underground 'immediately' once he has access.

"Yes, we've heard of stories of zama zamas who terrorise communities. He says it's different in this community in the North West because the community itself depends on the zama zamas; they are part of the economic architecture. He says, in fact now, because there are zama zamas that are still underground that are not coming out, there are some shops that have also closed in the community."

- Clement Manyathela translating Mr X's words

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has announced an investigation into allegations that police denied food, water, and medical assistance to illegal miners, potentially violating their human rights.

Commissioner Ntuli confirms that the investigation is underway.

She notes that representatives visited the site on 14 and 15 November, engaging with members of SAPS, as well as community members, family members, and those who have been underground.

However, she clarifies that no one is trapped, but instead has been encouraged to emerge from the shaft.

'What we can confirm based on our preliminary observations is that this is a very complex matter which contains multiple truths."

- Philile Ntuli, Commissioner – South African Human Rights Commission

Mathe emphasises that a rescue plan is in place, which includes an assessment conducted by mining experts at the shaft on Saturday.

The team is awaiting the report, which will inform their operational strategy.

"I think let's use this opportunity to clarify that we are not blocking any shafts. We don't have the capacity and resources to block these particular shafts."

- Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SAPS

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.