Volunteers in Khuma, near Stilfontein in the North West, are set to resume their rescue operation today, aiming to bring illegal miners to the surface from a disused mine shaft. So far, the operation has successfully rescued 12 miners since it began on Wednesday last week.
The operation was initiated after the High Court in Pretoria granted an interim order, allowing emergency personnel access to the mine shaft to assist those trapped underground and to facilitate the exit of those involved in illegal mining activities.
Human rights lawyer Mametlwe Sebei, who has been involved in the discussions surrounding the operation, highlighted the socio-economic issues driving the rise of illegal mining. While acknowledging that illegal mining is a criminal activity, Sebei emphasized that the miners’ rights to life and safety are protected by South Africa’s Constitution.
“These individuals are committing a crime of poverty,” Sebei explained. “Many of these miners have organized into groups and registered companies, in fact, I’m told they were even granted one mine dump, and they are in the process of formalizing their operations.”
Sebei went on to stress that the lack of state support for small-scale miners—particularly in terms of equipment, capital, and market access—has left a void that has been exploited by organized criminal syndicates. These groups have taken control of the sector, often resorting to violent acts, including murders and rapes, while terrorizing local communities.
“This vacuum is being filled by criminal elements, which further complicates the situation. Instead of seeing this as just a law enforcement issue, we need to look at the root causes, such as poverty and the lack of viable opportunities for many South Africans,” Sebei added.
As the rescue operation continues, attention remains focused on the plight of these illegal miners, many of whom are driven to dangerous and illicit work due to a lack of viable economic opportunities in their communities. The rescue efforts are expected to highlight the broader challenges of illegal mining in South Africa and the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the socio-economic conditions that fuel this dangerous industry.
Watch the video below:
