The South African Police Service (SAPS) has strongly denied accusations that Stilfontein miners, recently rescued after being trapped underground, are being subjected to unfair treatment. The allegations came in the wake of the death of one of the miners, Koali Rankomo, who passed away in a North West hospital earlier this week.
Rankomo had been admitted to the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Tertiary Hospital, where he was treated for gastroenteritis and dehydration, conditions that had reportedly worsened following his rescue. Tshegofatso Mothibedi, spokesperson for the Department of Health in the North West, confirmed the miner’s hospitalization and said that only 32 suspected illegal miners were currently under medical care, with police providing security.
Despite these developments, SAPS officials have been quick to counter the claims of mistreatment. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a police spokesperson, emphasized that the SAPS, in partnership with the Department of Health, has been actively ensuring the miners’ well-being. According to Mathe, police are regularly conducting inspections of holding cells to monitor the health of those detained. Any miner requiring medical attention is immediately referred to a local hospital for treatment.
The issue of medical care for the miners had raised concerns, particularly after a number of them were hospitalized in the wake of their dramatic rescue. The number of miners admitted to hospitals increased from nine on January 13 to 32 by January 21, Mathe revealed. She stressed that the allegations of inadequate medical care were false and baseless.
The controversy surrounding the miners’ treatment has garnered widespread attention, with questions about the fairness of their arrest and the conditions under which they are being detained. While many are sympathetic to the dangerous conditions the miners faced underground, the SAPS has remained firm in its position, asserting that the health and safety of all detainees are being properly managed.
The miners had been trapped for days deep underground in what police believe was an illegal mining operation. When they were eventually rescued, they were taken into custody for questioning and processing. Given the hazardous nature of their work, it’s no surprise that many of the miners were in poor health by the time they were rescued.
While the focus of the narrative continues to shift between accusations of mistreatment and the realities of their illegal activities, SAPS is resolute in its efforts to refute claims that they are not providing adequate care for the miners. The ongoing situation highlights the complexity of managing health and security concerns when dealing with illegal miners, many of whom work under dire and unsafe conditions.
As investigations into the circumstances of their mining activities and their treatment continue, authorities are urging the public to trust in the processes designed to ensure justice and proper care for those involved. Despite the tragic loss of Rankomo, SAPS maintains that the claims of mistreatment are untrue, pointing to the daily medical attention and hospital admissions as proof of their commitment to the miners’ health.
