Human rights organization Macua accuses police of damaging a vital pulley system used to rescue trapped miners at the Stilfontein mine.
According to Natjoints, the Stilfontein mine rescue operation is 'not as easy as it seems; it is quite complex'.Human rights organisation Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) has accused police of deliberately sabotaging efforts to assist illegal miners who remain underground at the Stilfontein mine shaft in North West. Macua claimed police allowed heavy machinery to damage the critical pulley system used to rescue and supply food to trapped miners.
“The police appear to have deliberately allowed the pulley system to be broken by the grader since before the grader started its work. “The community rescue team explained the importance of the structure to both the police and the grader operator, and it was agreed that no work would be done around the pulley system,” the organisation stated. The organisation expressed grave concern about the implications, amid reports of the minors resorting to cannibalism due to not receiving food.“We have spoken to the police on site, and they refuse to provide us with any information or commitments for alternative arrangements to feed the miners.” The organisation claims this action violates a court order permitting food delivery and miner retrieval. “The removal of the only lifesaving device from Shaft 11 is the clearest indication yet that the police are determined to starve the miners to death. We will not stop fighting!” Macua declared.to get comment from police on the claims were unsuccessful at the time of publishing. Any update will be included once received. However, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) has countered all Macua’s claims, stating that recent developments show illegal miners, known as Zama Zamas, have been voluntarily emerging from the disused mine shafts, demonstrating their ability to exit independentl
Stilfontein Mine Rescue Operation Illegal Miners Police Zama Zamas
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Police Minister Mchunu found in contempt of court order regarding aid for illegal Stilfontein minersPolice Minister Senzo Mchunu has been found to be in contempt of a court order that grants lobby groups the green light to send humanitarian aid to illegal miners at an abandoned mine in Stilfontein.
Read more »
Police Retrieve Seven Bodies from Disused Mine Shaft in StilfonteinPolice in North West, South Africa, have retrieved seven bodies from a disused mine shaft in Stilfontein. The High Court in Pretoria allowed food delivery to those still underground, while 26 illegal miners recently emerged from different shafts, including 14 Mozambicans, 11 Basotho, and one South African.
Read more »
Police Officer Accused of Rape at Mfuleni Police StationA 41-year-old police officer in South Africa is facing rape charges after allegedly assaulting a 26-year-old female detainee at the Mfuleni Police Station. The State alleges a history of abuse and a previous attempt to rape another detainee.
Read more »
Illegal Miner's Body Recovered from Abandoned Gold Mine in StilfonteinA body was retrieved from an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein as part of an operation to rescue hundreds of illegal miners. The grim discovery highlights the harsh conditions faced by those underground.
Read more »
Stilfontein Mine: Mageu, Porridge and Water Among Food Lowered to Illegal Miners UndergroundAfter a court granted an interim order, food was sent below the surface to the remaining unknown number of illegal miners at the Stilfontein mine.
Read more »
Decomposed Body of Second Illegal Miner Retrieved at Stilfontein Mine Amid Claims of 6 More BodiesA second illegal miner's decomposed body was recovered at the Stilfontein mine in Klerksdorp as operations continue, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone told Briefly News.
Read more »