Fatshimetrie: The ordeal of illegal miners in South Africa
In the heart of South Africa, more than 4,000 miners are trapped in a disused mine in the North West province. These illegal workers are deprived of access to essential supplies, following the closure of the entrances by the authorities as part of a strategy to combat illegal mining.
The precarious situation of these miners in the Stilfontein mine is a real cry for help. Deprived of food, water and basic necessities, their survival is compromised. The police have sealed the accesses used to transport supplies, as part of the “Closing the Hole” operation, aimed at forcing the miners to return to the surface to be arrested.
The South African authorities find themselves in an impasse, refusing to send rescue workers to the mine due to security risks. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe made it clear that no officials would be allowed to go down into the mine, leaving the miners to fend for themselves.
Faced with this dramatic situation, community members are mobilizing to rescue the miners, signing compensation forms. According to Sabata Mokgwabone, spokesperson for the North West police, there could be about 4,000 miners underground.
This tragedy highlights the precarious conditions of illegal miners in South Africa, where clandestine mining remains widespread in the old gold mining areas. Illegal operations are often the work of organized networks, exploiting these vulnerable workers.
In addition to the risks associated with clandestine mining, these illegal miners are also responsible for unrest in the surrounding areas, causing incidents ranging from robberies to sexual assaults. Clashes between rival armed groups can also turn tragic.
Despite the security and humanitarian challenges, this tragedy reveals the need for concerted action to end the illegal exploitation of mining resources and ensure adequate protection for workers in the sector.
The future of these miners and the responsibility that weighs on the South African authorities question the collective conscience and underline the urgency of adopting effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.