Govt claims Stilfontein illegal miners delaying exit to evade arrest

Community members watch police inspect a mine shaft in Stilfontein, South Africa, November 15, 2024.

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Government says the delayed emergence from underground by illegal miners at Stilfontein in North West appears to be a tactic to avoid arrest.

In a statement, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) says evidence suggests that the miners have had access to food supplies until recently. This comes amid claims that those still underground have resorted to cannibalism to survive.

The NATJOINTS statement says reports indicate that any supplies reaching the miners are controlled by underground syndicates, often leading to unequal distribution and exploitation.

The statement also says police established designated exit points for the illegal miners and they are not being trapped underground by officers.

Government says it remains steadfast in combating illegal mining and is also taking measures to address the socio-economic factors that can lead to illegal mining.

#govzaupdates| Clarifying the situation of illegal miners in #Stilfontein.

[It is a thread 🧵] pic.twitter.com/5wVm1VBldG

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 29, 2024

Clarifying the situation of illegal miners in #Stilfontein #govzaupdates pic.twitter.com/8bRC2Y2zDb

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 29, 2024