**A Tragedy Under the Ground: A Government’s Struggle with Its People in the Bowels of the Earth**
The current horrific situation in South Africa highlights deep and often overlooked issues related to clandestine mining, but also to the state’s responsibility to its citizens. The tragic deaths of at least 87 miners trapped in a former gold mine, brought to light by a combination of negligence and misguided decisions, provide a unique opportunity to question the consequences of a repressive policy in the face of a humanitarian crisis.
It seems that the authorities’ initial response, which was to deter miners by cutting off their food supplies, is indicative of the government’s priorities. The decision to “fumigate” these workers, considered criminals by politicians, raises ethical questions about the treatment of vulnerable communities. By losing sight of the humanity of these individuals, the government finds itself facing growing public anger, demanding justice and accountability.
### A tragedy foretold
Collective fatalism overrode any attempt at preventative action. Weeks before the bodies were discovered, community members had already begun to bring up the bodies of deceased miners, accompanied by desperate notes begging for food. The slow mobilization of civil society, in the face of inaction by the authorities, highlights not only the importance of social ties in times of crisis, but also the failure of a government whose duty it is to protect and rescue.
Looking at other similar disasters around the world, one might think of the collapse of self-built buildings in the Philippines. In such situations, it is often the communities themselves that play the crucial role of relief, providing aid and assistance in the absence of adequate government responses. This parallel underscores the need for innovative approaches where the state, rather than stigmatizing, could work in concert with communities to find sustainable solutions to clandestine exploitation.
### The Rise of Illegal Mining: A Response to Economic Crises
To understand the magnitude of the current crisis, it is essential to look at the socio-economic conditions that are driving nearly 2,000 miners to seek work in abandoned tunnels. Extreme poverty, high unemployment rates, and a lack of economic opportunities are all common factors that lead men and women to turn to illegal activities. If we look at the statistics, unemployment in South Africa reached 34% in 2022, placing the country in an unstable position within a changing global economy.
There are two scenarios: on the one hand, the stigmatization of miners as outlaws who choose the path of crime, and on the other hand, the recognition of the dire conditions that fuel this acceleration towards dangerous and unregulated employment. Rather than criminalizing these miners, a thorough analysis could lead policymakers to develop targeted programs aimed at creating real employment opportunities and regulating the mining sector.
### The response: towards democratic accountability
The call for an independent inquiry into the management of this crisis by the country’s second largest political party represents a turning point in the public response to governance. It reflects a growing desire on the part of society to hold its leaders accountable for their actions, or in this case, their inaction.
Prominent voices, such as Mannas Fourie, CEO of Mining and Rescue Services, are advocating for accessible and innovative solutions. In addition to deploying specific technologies for rescue operations, it would be essential to rethink how the community can work with local authorities to stay alert to the dangers present in these tunnels. New surveillance technologies, combined with human interventions, could prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.
### Conclusion: A call to humanity
The current underground catastrophe must serve as a catalyst for a broader reflection on how governments address the challenges of the informal economy and survival economies. Rather than reveling in repressive measures, the state could, in paying tribute to the lives lost in this tragedy, consider solutions that recognize the humanity and dignity of all its citizens.
The road to systemic reform will be arduous, but it is absolutely necessary to prevent this calamity from becoming just one chapter in an endless story of inaction and despair. Authorities must now face a reality where compassion and commitment to the most vulnerable take a central place in the management of future crises, whether structural or human.