Stilfontein community hits out at govt for lack of transparency in retrieving illegal miners

JOHANNESBURG - A frustrated group of community leaders has hit out at a perceived lack of transparency by the government, as an operation to retrieve hundreds of illegal miners from a shaft in Stilfontein enters another day.

The task team leading government’s plans kicked off on Tuesday, following months of work done by Operation Vala Umgodi.

This is part of an intensified drive to shut down an extensive underground network of illegal miners undercutting the economy and accused of being behind a spate of crime in parts of the country.

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Mining experts were on site on Wednesday, clearing rubble near the shaft.

About 200 metres from there, the community members who initially drove the rescue operation stood as onlookers.

Khuma community leader, Johannes Qankase, said they were none the wiser about the progress made by the technical team.

"But for now, there’s nothing I can explain because we’ve been locked out. Now it’s up to the government with their plan and strategy to see how best they can assist the people to resurface."

Once part one of the plan is done, cameras are expected to be sent down the shaft to establish how it looks and possibly start a tally of the number of illegal miners underground.