South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the safe evacuation of illegal miners trapped in a disused mine shaft in North West province. Addressing the issue, he stressed the importance of respecting human rights during police operations aimed at resolving the crisis.
The police, who have blocked food and water to the miners, are pressuring them to surface for arrest. The miners, known as “zama zamas,” entered the abandoned Stilfontein mine to scavenge for leftover gold, a widespread and dangerous practice in South Africa’s mining industry. Critics have labeled the blockade inhumane, warning it could lead to fatalities.
Ramaphosa described the Stilfontein mine as a “crime scene” and emphasized the need for law enforcement to balance security with safeguarding lives. He also pledged to work with mining stakeholders to combat illegal operations, which result in significant economic losses.
While some miners have been rescued by volunteers, many remain underground, with their ability or willingness to leave uncertain.
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