Stilfontein interdict dismissed, citing no evidence of government apathy

By Johnathan Paoli

The North Gauteng High Court has dismissed the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution’s application seeking final relief for the suspected illegal miners underground in Stilfontein in the North West.

Judge Brenda Neukircher found that the society offered no proof behind the claim that the government’s response to the stand-off between the miners and the police was not measured, considered and proportional.

“In my view, given that the society has no expertise of its own in this area, has not engaged an expert to put evidence on this issue before court, and has not demonstrated that the rescue efforts can and should be conducted differently, the only conclusion to be drawn is that mine rescue operations are underway and all necessary efforts are being made to rescue the miners,” she said.

Additionally, Neukircher held that in light of the availability of alternative exit avenues for the