Yires call for humane approach in fight against illegal mining

Yires have weighed in on the ongoing impasse between government and illegal miners in Stilfontein, in the North West, saying poverty is no excuse for criminal activity.

They’ve urged government to strike a balance between wanting to prevent crime and protecting human life amid escalating tensions.

“Being humane towards people is important. But there are criminals in our streets, and they hide there,” said one Gauteng resident.

“I understand they have committed a crime, but what are they gonna do if they are hungry?” said another.

Other young people have called for peaceful negotiations to end the standoff.

Earlier today, human rights organisations hauled government to court over its efforts to stop illegal mining at the abandoned shaft.

Police Spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, was also at the high court in Pretoria where the matter was heard.

Speaking to journalists outside, she rejected claims says that the police had trapped the miners, saying were that been the case – the scores of men would have indicated so in a letter sent to the surface on Monday.

In the note, the miners asked for ARVs.  

“They are evading arrest. In the past week we have seen more than 500 exiting,” she said. 

Community members, who have been assisting with resurfacing efforts, have since been asked to stand down as rescuers and mining experts took over the scene today. 

Mathe says cameras will be sent down the more than 2km mine shaft to assess conditions and map a rescue plan. 

Meanwhile, Yasmin Omar, a lawyer for the Society for the Protection of our Constitution, has accused authorities of downplaying the worsening situation. 

She’s raised concerns over the presence of heavily armed police and military at the shaft. 

This amid worry that some of the miners may be armed, with authorities looking to avoid a potentially volatile situation. 

Despite the authorities’ insistence that they mean no harm to the miners at the centre of the storm, human rights groups insist that government has fallen short of its constitutional duty to protect human life. 

Benchmark Foundation’s Makhotla Sefuli says Pretoria is to blame for failing to ensure that mining companies comply with the correct processes in mine closures.

He’s suggested that government give the illegal miners permits in order to operate legally.