Mantashe laments humanitarian organisations for their stance on Stilfontein zama zamas

JOHANNESBURG - Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has lamented humanitarian organisations for their stance on the situation in Stilfontein.

In 2024, a government-led operation resulted in a standoff with suspected illegal miners in the North West.

In an operation dubbed Operation Vala Umgodi, police stopped the supply of food and other items to the zama zamas stationed underground.

This led to numerous court challenges, attempting to compel the government to provide food, medicine, and other supplies to the artisanal miners.

READ: 'A miscarriage of justice': Why MACUA plans to take Stilfontein mine crisis to ConCourt

Delivering the keynote address at the 31st edition of the Invest in Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Monday, Mantashe addressed the matter.

"My own view is that if you take a voluntary step to go to a dangerous place, it can't be a humanitarian case. You have voluntarily entered a dangerous place and the consequence of entering a dangerous place is that you get injured and sometimes die. It's like committing suicide. Committing suicide can't be a humanitarian case."

Mantashe added that it was a matter for the police to consider.

"And when they say illegal mining is falling under us, I say no, that's not mining. Once you get into illegal mining, your minister is the Minister of Police. Day one."

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