Stilfontein mine: ANC says deaths regrettable, but rule of law must apply

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) says the death toll at the Stilfontein mine is regrettable, however, illegal mining cannot be condoned.  

Last week, rescue operators retrieved 78 bodies of suspected illegal miners at the disused Buffelsfontein gold mine in the North West.  

The operation was part of a government strategy - Vala Umgodi - which has seen about 2,000 miners retrieved underground from Stilfontein.  

READ: Stilfontein returns to normalcy following conclusion of a drawn-out operation to retrieve illegal miners

Some worker unions have criticised the government's strategy and called for a commission of inquiry.  

Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC's meeting in Boksburg, the party’s Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said this is a complex matter, with no easy solutions.  

"At the same time, government and the State must act against criminality. So in this particular instance, we regret the loss of life but the rule of law must be respected."