Retrieval efforts halted at Stilfontein for assessments

Leader of residents that have volunteered to retrieve suspected illegal miners at shaft 11 in Stilfontein in the North West, says they have halted their operation.

Thembile Botman says this is to allow mine rescue personnel to assess and clear the shaft.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu accompanied by Defence Deputy Minister Richard Hlophe visited the area last week.

A task team led by Community Safety MEC Wessels Morweng was formed to retrieve the suspected illegal miners that are underground.

Botman explains, “The communication is that they must move away from the wriggles. A wriggle is where they come out to be saved. So, because those stones might make the mine close them down it means they must run away. So, as the rescue team we must also say the presentation is not guaranteed, they cannot close them down in the shafts.”

Meanwhile, the SACP in the North West has called on the police to allow residents who had volunteered to retrieve suspected illegal miners in Stilfontein, to convince them to come out.

There is an unknown number of suspected illegal miners who remain underground. The party’s provincial secretary Madoda Sambatha says the retrieval plan will be futile if the illegal miners are not willing to come out.

“The first thing is people who have contact with them to convince them, first they must accept that they should get out. Secondly, they must accept the assistance by the state to get out. Then bargain with the state on the basis of people who are saying, we want to be helped to get out. For as long as that does not happen, they will not come out, those people we know.”

Pretoria High Court orders reopening of Stilfontein mine for retrieval efforts