By Johnathan Paoli
Operations to rescue trapped miners at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine in Stilfontein in the North West are set to begin following an order from the Pretoria high court.
The Mining Affected Communities United in Action has welcomed the decision, with spokesperson Magnificent Mndebele confirming the court’s ruling that rescue operations begin at shafts 10 and 11.
“The court has ordered the State to finalise and send a Service Level Agreement and Letter of Appointment to Mine Rescue Services (MRS), and to ensure that the agreement was signed today [Friday],” Mndebele said.
The ruling follows an urgent application brought by Zinzi Tom, whose brother, Ayanda Tom, is among the trapped miners since July last year.
Mndebele said that once the agreement was signed, funds must be released allowing the MRS to commence rescue operations without further delays.
He said MRS has assured the court they are willing to deploy their team and equipment once payment has been made.
The spokesperson further confirmed that the court ordered the uninterrupted delivery of food, water and medical aid over the weekend, with Judge Ronel Tolmay imploring all stakeholders to act decisively to prevent further loss of life.
“It is unthinkable that people are deprived of food over the weekend. We do not want a situation where this will be marked as the darkest point in our history,” Tolmay stated.
The judge held that no one would go without food on her watch and that it was immoral and unconstitutional to not provide in light of the right to life and dignity.
“The systems must be in place to ensure that no one goes without basic supplies,” she said.
Mndebele praised the ruling as a significant step in holding the state accountable and prioritising the sanctity of human life over a murderous state agenda.
“This judgment represents a critical moment in the fight against systemic neglect, with Zinzi Tom’s legal challenge serving as a powerful reminder of the state’s duty to protect marginalised communities,” he said.
It has been reported that the Minerals Council would pay for the rescue operations, which has been estimated to cost nearly R1 million a day.
Over 1,500 miners have resurfaced from various shafts in the area, with recent reports indicating over 100 dead miners still being trapped underground.
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