SOUTH African police are under fire for blocking supplies to illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine shaft near Stilfontein, approximately 140 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg. The restrictions, part of a push to flush out hundreds of ‘zama zamas’ (illegal miners), have sparked concerns over worsening conditions underground.
A miner who resurfaced on Friday, Ayanda Ndabeni, described the dire situation. ‘There’s nothing left to eat or drink—nothing that can keep a person alive. It’s critical now,’ the 35-year-old said.
After nearly two weeks of limited access, a court on Saturday ordered police to lift restrictions at the shaft. This allowed locals to lower 600 packets of instant porridge and 600 litres of water to those still underground.
‘This is about saving lives,’ said community leader Johannes Qankase. ‘Those trapped need food, water, and their medical pills. They’ve been resurfacing weak and dehydrated.’
One decomposed body was retrieved from the shaft last week, fuelling fears of more casualties. Around a dozen people have emerged in recent days, with others still believed to be trapped in the labyrinthine tunnels.
Authorities estimate hundreds of miners remain underground, though locals suggest the figure could be closer to 4,000. These miners, known as zama zamas, operate in disused shafts across South Africa, often enduring hazardous conditions in search of minerals.
The government has drawn criticism for its handling of the crisis, particularly comments from Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. ‘We’re not sending help to criminals; we’re going to smoke them out,’ she told reporters on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe reiterated calls for the miners to surrender voluntarily. ‘We urge all illegal miners to resurface for their safety’ she said, adding that the government plans to convene a rescue team to address the situation.
Mining industry’s shadow
Illegal mining remains a contentious issue in South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy. Mineral-rich but rife with inequality, the country has seen thousands of informal miners, many from neighbouring countries, risk their lives in abandoned shafts.
Critics argue that the government’s current approach to illegal mining exacerbates tensions and humanitarian risks. ‘People are starving underground. Blocking food and water isn’t a solution—it’s a humanitarian failure,’ said one local activist.
The Stilfontein crisis underscores the complexity of South Africa’s mining challenges, where abandoned shafts provide a lifeline for some but provoke ire from local communities and mining firms.
With more miners expected to resurface in the coming days, authorities face mounting pressure to balance law enforcement with humanitarian concerns, as the world watches closely.
