GIWUSA appalled by Ntshavheni's 'blatant disregard for human life' following comments about illegal miners
During a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said government would not send assistance for the more than 4,000 miners in Stilfontein.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a post-Cabinet meeting briefing on 22 August 2024. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni continues to come under fire over comments made about illegal miners who remain underground in the North West.
During a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Ntshavheni said government would not send assistance for the more than 4,000 miners in Stilfontein.
She said the zama zamas must be "smoked out" and persecuted.
The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) has called on the president to fire Ntshavheni over the remarks.
READ: 'You cannot wash your hands and say illegal miners must be left to die' - lawyer
Giwusa said it was appalled by what it described as the minister's blatant disregard for human life.
The union’s Koketso Phasha: "Her words reveal a disturbing lack of empathy and a misguided prioritisation of punishment over rescue efforts. The miners are trapped underground due to a fear of arrest. But after days without basic necessities, many are unable to return to the surface on their own."