Stilfontein residents threaten to protest over standoff between police, illegal miners

STILFONTEIN - Residents in Stilfontein have threatened to take to the streets over the standoff between police and the illegal miners occupying a shaft at the old Buffelsfontein mine.  

This comes as community leaders have again sounded the alarm about what they have described as a critical situation unfolding underground, where some zama zamas have gone for weeks without food, water and medical supplies.  

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Police cut off aid to the illegal miners in September when law enforcement intensified an operation to shut down the illicit mining networks.  

While a dozen illegal miners have been confirmed dead, there are claims that the number is set to grow as the zama zamas battle hunger and dehydration.  

Leader of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) Mametlwe Sebei said dismantling the rope and pulley system used by community volunteers to rescue illegal miners was a cause for concern.  

“The SAPS [South African Police Service]’s callous decision to wreck the pulley and not permit its repair is not only a gross violation of human rights, it is a blatant disregard for the wellbeing and safety of the miners. 

“We are absolutely clear: this decision is responsible for the deaths of these and many other miners who perished during this operation. It is the immediate and direct cause of these deaths.”