A letter that recently emerged from the depths of the Stilfontein goldmine has shed light on the growing desperation of illegal miners holed up underground. The letter, delivered by a man who surfaced from the disused mines, contained a series of unusual requests from those trapped in the dark, highlighting their dire need for supplies. Among the items listed were everyday essentials such as mayonnaise, washing powder, tomato sauce, beef, Koo canned beans, soap, deodorants, and even paraffin. The miners made it clear that their food stocks had been exhausted, with requests for rice, tinned fish, and beef topping the list of necessities.
The letter underscores the increasing tension surrounding the miners’ situation, revealing their reliance on external help to survive. Despite being trapped underground, these miners have continued to communicate their needs, using letters to send requests for food and other essential supplies. In particular, they noted that their stock of relish and rice had run out, while their paraffin supplies had also been depleted. The seemingly mundane nature of their requests contrasts with the life-or-death circumstances they find themselves in, creating a chilling reminder of the harsh conditions they endure.
Adding complexity to the situation, the delivery of supplies to the miners has become a contentious issue. Last week, reports highlighted a significant development when the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had violated a court order concerning the delivery of food, water, and medicine to the miners at Buffelsfontein goldmine in Stilfontein. The court order had been issued after a community-based organization, the Mining Affected Communities in Action (Macua), approached the court, seeking to ensure that volunteers, community members, and charitable organizations could provide essential aid to the trapped miners.
However, despite the court ruling in favor of allowing the delivery of essential supplies, SAPS officials stationed at the Stilfontein Gold Mine reportedly refused to comply with the order. According to an affidavit submitted by Macua, the police imposed arbitrary limitations on the amount of food that could be delivered and restricted how often supplies could be sent down to the miners. Furthermore, certain items such as maize meal, canned fish, and soup were reportedly blocked from being sent underground altogether, without any clear explanation for the restrictions.
The court’s intervention has placed a spotlight on the conflict between the police, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations attempting to aid the miners. Judge Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen, who presided over the case, found that SAPS had breached her order, leading her to instruct that the Sheriff be brought in to assist with ensuring the delivery of aid. The judge’s ruling emphasized that community members had made numerous attempts to deliver the court order directly to SAPS officials, including one incident where an official accepted the order but refused to acknowledge it in writing, further complicating the matter.
Sabelo Mnguni, the national administrator of Macua, expressed frustration over the police’s refusal to allow the unrestricted delivery of aid. The organization’s continued efforts to ensure that the miners receive necessary provisions are being stymied by bureaucratic hurdles, leaving the miners trapped in an increasingly untenable situation. As the miners’ requests for basic supplies continue to grow, the tension between humanitarian aid and law enforcement remains unresolved, casting a shadow over the future of the illegal miners trapped below ground and the ongoing battle to secure their survival.
