Stilfontein rescue mission in the balance as phase 3 stalls
Ten days since mining experts first visited the abandoned shaft, there’s no indication how much longer it will take to start the actual retrieval of the illegal miners.
A crane at the site of an abandoned mine in Stilfontein where a mission to rescue illegal miners is underway. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The rescue mission to bring hundreds of illegal miners in Stilfontein to the surface hangs in the balance, as phase three of the operation stalls.
More than a week ago, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu appointed a task team to drive plans to bring zama zamas at the old Buffelsfontein gold mine to the surface.
This is part of broader plans to shut down illegal underground networks.
But phase three of the new plan is yet to begin.
The rescue operation was initially meant to take five to six days but it appears that was an underestimation.
Ten days since mining experts first visited the abandoned shaft, there’s no indication of how much longer it will take to start the actual retrieval of the illegal miners.
Assessments of the shaft were done last week but the report is yet to make it to the desk of MEC for community safety and transport management in the North West, Wessels Morweng, who is leading the rescue operation.
EWN understands that a meeting to discuss the findings of the assessment could still go ahead on Tuesday or Thursday.
It's understood there is still some red tape to deal with before a cage can be assembled and sent down the shaft to ferry the illegal miners back to the surface.
Since Operation Vala Umgodi was intensified in October, more than 1,200 zama zamas have resurfaced, including a 14-year-old boy arrested on Monday.