In a significant ruling, the Pretoria High Court has once again granted an interim order to provide humanitarian aid to illegal miners still trapped underground at the disused Stilfontein mine in North West. The court’s decision follows weeks of heightened efforts under Operation Vala Umgodi, which had severely restricted access to essential supplies like food and water for those still working illegally within the mine.
This marks the second time the court has stepped in, responding to urgent calls for leniency toward the miners. Humanitarian organizations and advocacy groups, such as the Mining Affected Communities United in Action, had raised alarms over the dire conditions of the miners. The NGO filed an urgent application for the court’s intervention, arguing that their attempts to deliver life-saving essentials were thwarted by police actions during the ongoing operation. With the interim court order now in place, community groups and charities have been granted permission to provide the necessary aid, ensuring that food, water, and medical supplies can reach the miners still underground.
Operation Vala Umgodi, which has intensified in recent weeks, has been focused on eradicating illegal mining activities in the area. However, the strict enforcement measures led to the blockage of supply routes to the miners, leaving them without access to critical resources. The court’s latest intervention represents an effort to balance law enforcement actions with humanitarian concerns, emphasizing the need for compassion amid the ongoing crackdown on illegal mining activities.
Meanwhile, in a positive development, 17 illegal miners resurfaced from the Stilfontein mine on Monday, increasing the total number of miners to have emerged from the mine in recent days to 21. The miners, who surfaced from Harmony Gold’s Margaret Shaft and Shaft 10 at the Old Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, have been arrested by authorities on various charges, including trespassing. One individual from Shaft 10 was taken to the hospital for medical observation. As the situation evolves, police continue to process those who have emerged while the court’s ruling ensures that those still underground receive the vital assistance they need.
