Stilfontein community disappointed by ministers not engaging them

Some community members of Stilfontein in the North West have expressed disappointment over senior government officials’ failure to address them during a visit to Shaft 11.

A government delegation, which comprised of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, his deputy Cassel Mathale, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and several MECs, visited the shaft to assess the retrieval operation led by government.

The operation started on Monday and is expected to continue for about 10 days. 

Commotion ensued as protesting residents demanded answers from the government delegation about the deaths of illegal miners.

As the rescue operation continues, they want to know who should be held liable.

“We are here to hear what the minister is saying by taking responsibility about people who have died underground and also those who resurface voluntarily. Is he taking responsibility or not?”

“This thing makes us angry so I don’t know what to say, I cannot answer myself, am angry and tired. Me as a volunteer I have taken risks to come to the shaft to assist where I can. He says nothing to us.”

Even though the ministers were not able to address community members, they have committed to rescue all the illegal miners who are still underground.

Mchunu, “This operation is under way for 10 days from yesterday. After ten days will stop to assess, now any indicator or indication that is till has to go on or there are still people underground or whatever, we will take on board until we are more that reasonably satisfied that we have done everything reasonable.”

Manas Fourie, rescue team project manager, says the machinery is fitted with advanced technology.

“We do have an advance machine we are using; the cage has got cameras at the bottom, we got cameras inside the cage and also on top. The cameras on the bottom and on top, we use them to guide ourselves as we driving blind in the shaft, so that we can see if whether there is obstruction, whether it is safe to raise or lower the conveyance and the camera inside the cage we continuously monitor conditions of the people we are busy hoisting. We also use cameras for communication purposes between ourselves, hoist driver and people that are being loaded inside the cage.”

Meanwhile, Mantashe insists blame for the death of the illegal mineworkers, should not be left at their door.

“But if you go and steal gold you cannot give anybody responsibility for that whose operational, it is your responsibility and the person who drives you. This foot soldiers are taking this gold to somebody, that somebody must take responsibility for them.”

Lawyers for Human Rights says they’ll explore all legal avenues to hold the government accountable for illegal miners that have died underground.