“Tragic Stilfontein Rescue: 30 Miners Saved, Nine Bodies Recovered in Bloody Shaft Crisis”

by Hope Ngobeni

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In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, almost 30 illegal miners were rescued from Shaft 11 in Stilfontein, North West, following a renewed operation that aimed to retrieve those trapped underground. This came after a series of tense and high-risk rescue missions initiated over the weekend. On Monday, 26 miners were extracted, and nine bodies were recovered from the mine. By Tuesday morning, another group of eight miners was rescued. The operation saw the arrival of a 45-tonne Mobile Rescue Winder crane, which is capable of reaching depths of up to 3,000 meters underground, a crucial tool for rescuing the miners who had been trapped after a police operation began in the area.

The illegal miners, known colloquially as “zama zamas,” were subjected to rigorous inspections once they were pulled to safety. Authorities reported that the miners were checked for illicit items, including gold nuggets and illegal firearms, before being assessed by paramedics on the scene. Those in need of further medical attention were taken to nearby health facilities, while those deemed healthy were detained for processing. Part of this process involves determining their nationality and immigration status, with detained individuals being taken into police custody.

While the successful rescues were celebrated, the operation also came with tragic losses. Of the 35 people rescued and recovered, nine were found dead. The bodies were removed by pathology services. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is currently investigating allegations that the miners were mistreated while underground. Claims have surfaced that food sent to the miners was withheld, and disturbing videos showing miners being assaulted underground have also prompted an investigation into potential abuse and torture.

The rescue operation, which was initially delayed, had begun under court orders following an urgent application filed by Zinzi Tom, whose brother was among the trapped miners. Tom, through Lawyers for Human Rights, sought a court ruling to compel the State to fund and expedite the rescue efforts. A High Court ruling issued last Friday ordered the State to finalize agreements with Mining Rescue Services (MRS) and ensure the uninterrupted supply of food, water, and medical assistance to the miners during the weekend. The delay in the operation had sparked tensions in the community, with many activists and residents in Stilfontein expressing frustration at what they perceived as the government’s slow response.

The rescue and recovery efforts have drawn sharp criticism from community leaders and activists. Mzukisi Jam, a spokesperson for the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in North West, condemned the government’s initial handling of the situation, accusing the authorities of allowing the miners to perish underground rather than intervening earlier. “We are here to assist, to make sure that these people surface alive,” Jam stated, addressing journalists at the site. He sarcastically thanked the State, acknowledging the tragic outcome but noting that families would at least have the opportunity to bury their loved ones.

The unrest has also been fueled by disturbing footage from underground shafts showing piles of bodies, which some are calling a “massacre.” Mametlwe Sebei, the President of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA), has called the events in Stilfontein a “bloody culmination” of what he views as an aggressive and fatal government policy. Sebei, citing the bodies still stuck in the shafts, described the events as a massacre and accused the police of being responsible for the deaths of up to 109 miners, whom he claims were “murdered by the police.” The tragic incident has sparked calls for accountability and a reckoning on the part of the State.

Meanwhile, Mine Rescue Services continues its efforts, with operations expected to last for up to two weeks. The situation remains tense as the miners’ families, community members, and activists continue to demand justice for those who lost their lives underground. The grim reality of the situation highlights the ongoing dangers faced by illegal miners in South Africa, and the controversial stance of the State in handling the rescue and recovery efforts.

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