By REGINALD KANYANE
10 December 2024- Six more illicit miners surfaced at Margaret mine shaft in Stilfontein. A total number of 1420 illegal miners have resurfaced at various abandoned mine shafts and Margaret mine shaft in Stilfontein thus far.
Eight bodies in total were recovered at Buffelsfontein number 11 shaft.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said on Saturday morning, six more illicit miners surfaced at Margaret shaft mine. Myburgh said they were all Mozambican foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, the National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola said the North Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria heard the court application brought forward by the Mining Affected Communities United in Action that sought to compel the South African Police Service (SAPS) to allow communities to supply food, water and medication to illegal miners.
Masemola said the SAPS argued and raised concern regarding the implementation of the interim order.
He further said their view is that the continuous supply of food, water and necessities defeats the purpose of their ongoing operations, which seeks to put a stop to these ongoing illicit mining activities. Masemola added that, while the matter was postponed, the court varied the interim court order which was issued on 1 December 2024.
“This court order did not provide limitations to the supply of food and necessities. As of today, limitations have been put into place in terms of this order. Food and water will now be supplied from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm.
“No food will be lowered on weekends. Hazardous substances including paraffin, gas, and diesel will no longer be allowed to be lowered down to the illegal miners,” he said.
Masemola said the Stilfontein rescue operation that is being undertaken is not as easy as it seems. He said it is quite complex with the depth of the shaft playing a major role in how this operation is carried out.
“Unlike the Sabie operation in which the shaft is 150 metres deep, the Stilfontein shaft is 2km deep to where these illegal miners allegedly are, making it a very difficult and high-risk operation to undertake.
“With the rescue team having recommended that the necessary resources and expertise must be acquired.
The practicality and risks involved are also being taken into account,” said Masemola.
He said the liability involved is also a major factor. According to Masemola, police are not experts and can
therefore, not lead this rescue operation.
“At this stage, the mine must acquire services to conduct the rescue operation in which costs are involved. We are in possession of a quotation that indicates that there must also be a 100% upfront payment.
“It should be agreed upon that government must approach this process with due diligence and the utmost care taking into consideration the
applicable supply chain management processes involved,” he said.
Masemola said these processes must be above board in line with relevant prescripts.
The Guardian 