Macua turns to ConCourt over Stilfontein mine crisis

By Johnathan Paoli

Advocacy groups, led by Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua), have escalated relief efforts for the trapped miners at Stilfontein to the Constitutional Court.

They want the court to compel the government to provide urgent humanitarian aid to save lives.

Macua spokesperson Magnificent Mndebele said on Monday that the crisis at the abandoned mine in the North West had reached a critical juncture, with hundreds of illegal miners trapped underground and scores already dead.

“With the application, we are hoping for an urgent date as the situation is of urgency and every second wasted puts the trapped miners’ lives at further risk,” Mndebele said.

Macua’s decision to approach the Constitutional Court follows the Gauteng High Court’s dismissal of its application earlier in the month. The court ruled that humanitarian aid could be provided by social movements, charities and community members, but absolved the state of responsibility.