Community activists in Stilfontein deny claims that sending aid to zama zamas will hinder crackdown on illegal mining
Community organisation, Mining Affected Communities United in Action, has now filed an urgent application for aid to be sent to the illegal miners pending the conclusion of law enforcement’s operation.
Images from shaft 10 in Stilfontein were the 14 Zama zamas came out of on Sunday night. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/ Eyewitness News.
STILFONTEIN - Community activists lobbying for humanitarian aid for illegal miners at an abandoned shaft in Stilfontein have denied claims that sending food and water to the zama zamas will get in the way of a crackdown on illegal mining.
In November, police and the army intensified Operation Vala Umgodi in the North West, which saw essential supplies to the illegal miners cut off in a bid to force them out of the disused shafts.
This sparked outrage among some activists who have labelled the move as a violation of human rights.
Community organisation, Mining Affected Communities United in Action, has now filed an urgent application for aid to be sent to the illegal miners pending the conclusion of law enforcement’s operation.
This is the second time some government departments have been dragged to court over the matter.
President of the General Industries Workers Union (GIWUSA), Mametlwe Sebei, said that the Pretoria High Court had granted an interim order giving charity organisations the green light to send aid until the matter was heard in court on Thursday.
"When we say food supplies, it is a recognition that it could take days, potentially weeks, of pulling those people and in that situation, we've said then there's a need for food, water and medication to sustain those miners pending the rescue operation. It is not food, water and medication to keep those people underground."