By Amy Musgrave
The eighth body of an illegal miner has reportedly been retrieved from the Stilfontein mine in the North West.
The death toll is expected to rise after the police said on Thursday that they would not allow humanitarian aid to go underground over the weekends.
This follows the police saying that North Gauteng High Court did not provide limitations to the supply of food and necessities for the illegal miners.
“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,” said North West police commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
“Hazardous substances including paraffin, gas and diesel will no longer be allowed to be lowered down to the illegal miners.”
The police have taken a hard-line approach, often reiterating that it is their view that the continuous supply of food, water and necessities defeats the purpose of its ongoing operations, which aim to put a stop to illicit mining activities.
NGOs and community groups have been attempting to conduct a rescue mission, with reports on Thursday saying the ropes they were using were breaking. They have pleaded for assistance from the government.
However, Masemola said that that the Stilfontein rescue operation was not easy because the shaft where the miners were suspected was 2km deep.
He said rescue teams have recommended that the necessary resources and expertise were required.
“The liability involved is also a major factor. 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,” the commissioner said.
“It should be agreed upon that government must approach this process with due diligence and the outmost care taking into consideration the applicable supply chain management processes involved. These processes must be above board in line with relevant prescripts.”
The government recently said that the necessary equipment needed was expensive.
Mining Affected Communities United Action and NGOs have warned that the longer it takes to rescue the miners, the more people will die.
Many of them are starving and are too weak to resurface by themselves.
Masemola said the police were investigating child and human trafficking. The majority of the miners who have resurfaced have indicated that they were brought there under false pretences of job opportunities and kept against their will.
“We are told that some of their bosses who are heavily armed are underground, keeping the majority of these illegal miners hostage.
“One thing is clear, is that everyone must come out from these disused and abandoned mines and we are all devising means to ensure this is realised. The arrest of a number of kingpins in recent months does showcase our commitment as law enforcement in holding those responsible to account,” he said.
More than 1387 illegal miners have resurfaced in recent weeks. Those arrested include 919 Mozambicans, 382 Zimbabweans, 65 Basotho and 13 South Africans.
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