South Africa faces backlash as 78 bodies recovered from mine

At least 78 bodies have been recovered from a gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, where illegal miners, known as “zama zamas,” were trapped underground. The government is under intense scrutiny for its actions, with trade unions calling the operation a “horrific” state crackdown on desperate individuals seeking a livelihood.

Rescue teams have extracted 166 survivors, many of whom were emaciated and disoriented. Hundreds more remain trapped 2 kilometers below the surface, while police blockaded food and water supplies to the mine for months. This action, which lasted from August until a court ruling in December allowed volunteers to provide aid, is now being questioned.

Athlenda Mathe, a national police spokesperson, defended the crackdown, saying the police were only fulfilling their mandate to combat criminality. “Providing food and water to these illegal miners would have been enabling criminal activity,” she stated.

The death toll from the Stilfontein mine disaster is one of the highest in recent South African history. Critics argue that the siege, particularly the blockade of basic necessities, is an example of government neglect toward these vulnerable workers, many of whom are undocumented migrants from Mozambique and other Southern African nations.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions condemned the government’s actions, calling it “wilful negligence” that led to the deaths of these miners. The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the ruling coalition, demanded an independent investigation, stating that the situation at the mine had spiraled “out of control.”

All 166 survivors were arrested and charged with illegal immigration, trespassing, and illegal mining. None were hospitalized and all were taken into police custody. “If you come out and you are able to walk, they take you straight to the cells,” said Mzukisi Jam, a civil society activist.

A metal cage, which holds up to 12 people or bodies at a time, continues to lower into the mine to recover the trapped miners and the deceased. The operation, now in its third day, is proving painstakingly slow, with each trip taking up to 45 minutes, according to Mannas Fourie, CEO of a private rescue firm involved in the operation.

The government and industry leaders argue that illegal mining is costing South Africa hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost revenue from precious metal sales. Mining Minister Gwede Mantashe labeled the activity a “criminal attack on our economy,” largely driven by foreign nationals.

Police reported that 1,576 unlicensed miners had left the mine before the official rescue operation began. Most were from Mozambique, with smaller numbers from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa. Many zama zamas work in abandoned mines, often under the control of violent gangs.

As rescue operations continue, the political fallout from the crackdown grows, with both government and opposition factions facing mounting pressure.

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