Activists say Stilfontein is a crime scene

The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) has labelled the situation unfolding in Stilfontein, in the North West, as a massacre.

The remarks come as rescue efforts have been ramped up to retrieve the scores of illegal miners that remain underground at the abandoned mine.

Months have passed since the discovery of this illegal mining operation, where over 1 000 zama zamas have since resurfaced and arrested.

According to civil society groups that have taken government to the Constitutional Court over the standoff, the situation at the mine is so dire that some illegal miners have resorted to cannibalism.

Earlier a cage was sent down to getting the illegal miners out after the high court in Pretoria ruled in favour of Zinzi Tom, whose brother is believed to be among the trapped the zama zamas. It ordered that the government fund the retrieval operation at Shafts 10 and 11 where his brother, Ayanda, is believed to be trapped.

At close of day one of the operations, 26 illegal miners were retrieved alive, while 9 others were found to have passed on.

Last week, zama zamas, who were emerging from underground, claimed that there were over 100 bodies in the abandoned mine. Harrowing videos they captured have now been posted online, with one showing bodies lined up, while the other shows the unsafe condition of some of the illegal miners.

Labour federation, GIWUSA, part of the Stilfontein Crisis Committee, which has been facing off with government in a bid to have the zama zamas rescued.

The labour federation’s president, Memetlwe Sebei, says the harrowing footage is a cause for concern.

The newly formed Stilfontein Crisis Committee, which includes Macua, has accused the government of failing to protect the lives of the illegal miners by restricting food, among others.

 

 

It is understood that the rescue mission is expected to run for two weeks and will cost R12 million.

Sanco’s Mzukisi Jam says their plan is now to try and prevent more deaths.

One of the residents of Stilfontein and a sister to one of the illegal miners says she is worried about her brother’s wellbeing.

Tom, who recently won a court bid for the retrieval of the miners, says they hope her sibling is still alive despite him having been underground for months now.

 

According to a postmortem report released today, some of the illegal miners are dying because of hunger and starvation.

Meanwhile, public sentiment on the matter remains divided.

A gruesome footage of dead bodies underground at Stilfontein emerges – Very sad indeed!!

— Mokete Makhutla (@MakhutlaMo24784) January 13, 2025

As far as the number of deaths is concerned, Stilfontein tragedy is very close to the Marikana tragedy. I feel bad for the rescuers who will go underground and recover these people and corpses.

— Ndlombango ka Tomase. (@Ndlombango) January 13, 2025

Stilfontein massacre, “my arse” they all deserved to die under, let’s just close all entrance and bury them with their loot!

— Freeman Bhengu ✍🏾 (@zibuseman) January 13, 2025

Are the people in Stilfontein still mining? Because why are they still staying inside, for vibes?

— Dixon Cider (@Nelly4Sho) January 13, 2025

Stilfontein guys 😭😭😭🤣🤣

— DECO (@NgoepeElliot) January 13, 2025

So what happens to some of the Stilfontein miners who still don’t want to come out after this court ruling?
Police resources have to be stationed there, forever, upon their convenience?

— Cassiday Rangata-Jacobs (@CRangataJ) January 13, 2025