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NW Operation Vala Umgodi Task Team urges illegal miners, who are still underground in the Stilfontein area, to adhere to the call by Police to resurface.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu accompanied by representatives from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are expected to visit the Stilfontein area in the North West later today.
This after about fifty residents took it upon themselves to rescue hundreds of illegal miners who are still underground.
The visit comes as residents in the area have raised concerns that the way the suspected illegal miners are treated infringes on their human rights.
However, National Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police will not be manipulated as this is a criminal activity.
National SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirms no police will enter the abandoned mine in Stilfontein, emphasising safety risks. Authorities are focusing on surface-level only monitoring the situation. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/UCfmN35nP2
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 14, 2024
Mathe says the police and soldiers will not go underground to retrieve the illegal miners.
“We are not going to be allowing our men and women in blue as well as our soldiers to go down there and combat this particular activity. It is dangerous. For the mere fact that we have consulted with the mine owners, we have consulted with DMRE and they are telling us that it is unsafe, it is inhumane to allow people to go down there.”
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