South African authorities face intense criticism over their handling of a
standoff involving illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine near
Stilfontein, where the death toll has reached at least 87.
Despite a court order last year mandating food and water delivery to the
miners, officials initially refused, opting instead to “smoke them out” by
cutting off supplies, a tactic condemned by unions and community groups.
Rescue efforts began only after a recent court ruling, with community
volunteers stepping in earlier to aid the miners amid the authorities’ inaction.
The Mines and Rescue Service used a locally developed machine in the
operation, hailed as a “world first” by its CEO, Mannas Fourie.
However, the delay in intervention has sparked widespread outrage,
especially as decomposing bodies with notes pleading for help were
recovered during the standoff.
Calls for accountability are growing, with opposition parties demanding an
independent inquiry from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Nearly 2,000 miners were believed to have been working illegally in the
mine since 2023, amplifying demands for explanations on the government’s
response to the tragedy.