By Ziyah News Reporter
Officials from South Africa’s Ministries of Police and Mineral Resources and Energy are set to descend on the Stilfontein as Mines Rescue Services has taken over retrieval operations at the mine amid loud calls to ensure the illegal miners holed for months are assisted to resurface.
The visit by the officials comes hard on the heels of the commencement of operations to ensure the miners resurface after they have been stuck in this mine for over two months.
While exact figures of the miners is unknown, estimates are that they run into hundreds with dozens feared dead. Harrowing stories of how some of the miners are surviving on human flesh have been told from those that have resurfaced.
It is expected that the illegal miners will be taken to the surface especially with the now dire situation subsisting underground bringing an end to this Saga that has evoked mixed emotions.
In a statement, the Ministry of Police announced the visit and the commencement of the operation to bring the miners to the surface.
“The Ministries of Police and Mineral Resources and Energy will visit Stilfontein tomorrow, 14 January 2025, following the commencement of operations aimed at ensuring that all illegal miners resurface. This follows the implementation of Operation Vala Umgodi last year in the North West, which led to significant success in curbing illegal mining activities and forcing scores of illegal miners to resurface.”
“The Ministries have been working closely with mine owners and a specialised company experienced in mine operations to finalise detailed plans for the operations, including safety measures and the anticipated duration.”
The Zama Zamas as the illegal miners are affectionately known have been holding out underground fearing arrest asking for the Government of South Africa to negotiate with them do that they won’t be arrested when they resurface. The Government has flatly refused saying it will not negotiate with criminals hence the deadlock.
Calls have been growing louder for the Government to prioritise human life first as News of deaths and cannibalism emerge.