Macua wants to use a drone to ascertain conditions of Stilfontein miners

By Amy Musgrave

The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) has secured funding for a drone to assess and document the underground conditions where illegal miners are trapped in Stilfontein in the North West.

“The video footage obtained through this drone inspection will be instrumental in providing all concerned parties, and possibly including the court, with a clearer understanding of the conditions faced by the trapped miners,” Macua spokesperson Magnificent Mndebele said on Tuesday.

Macua has approached the Constitutional Court with an urgent application concerning the miners. It wants the court to order the government to provide humanitarian aid to the miners, warning that the situation has reached crisis levels.

Mndebele said that the drone would be utilised by a drone expert.

“The footage that can be obtained by the drone will serve to illuminate the circumstances underground, thereby facilitating informed decision making about the urgency of the rescue