insert_link South Africa 118 Illegal Miners Rescued in South Africa’s Stillfontein South Africa's National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure has rescued 118 illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West, as of yesterday, with 36 confirmed dead. Rescue efforts are ongoing using a specialist-operated cage. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated that 82 arrests have been made for illegal mining, trespassing, and immigration violations. todayJanuary 15, 2025 14
insert_link South Africa S.A Civic Organization Accuses Government of Inhumane Treatment of Trapped Stilfontein Miners The South African National Civics Organisation in North West has accused the government of subjecting trapped Stilfontein miners to inhumane conditions. SANCO spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam, criticised the state for championing global human rights while neglecting domestic issues. Speaking to the media at a Mining Affected Communities United in Action briefing, Jam said the deaths were avoidable and emphasised miners' right to life: todayJanuary 14, 2025 16
insert_link South Africa DA in South Africa Slams Illegal Miners for Damaging Industry and Communities In S.A, the DA believes that illegal miners are destructive to the industry and surrounding communities, as they drive away investment and steal state revenues. This as illegal miners have been trapped underground at the Buffelsfontein mine in North West since November last year. The DA’s, James Lorimer, says the snag seems to be that to conduct an exit operation for the zama zamas, the specialist rescue effort would have […] todayJanuary 8, 2025 17
insert_link South Africa S.A. Health Minister Awaits Approval to Revamp Flooded General De La Rey Hospital S.A's Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi says plans to revamp the flooded General De La Rey Hospital in the North West are in place, but just awaiting approval. The minister visited the hospital in Lichtenburg on Tuesday, where 30 patients were relocated due to flooding. It's the third hospital in the province to be affected by heavy rains in the past week. Motsoaledi says floods in the facility were worsened […] todayJanuary 8, 2025 14
insert_link South Africa South African National Civic Organisation Urges Government to Expedite Rescue of Illegal Miners The South African National Civic Organisation in the North West is calling on the government to speed up the process of rescuing illegal miners who remain underground. Around four-thousand illegal miners are still underground at a disused shaft at Stilfontein mine. More than one-thousand illegal miners have resurfaced in recent weeks after Operation Vala Umgodi was mounted by police. Sanco’s spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam, says government’s slow action is disappointing: todayNovember 26, 2024 21
insert_link South Africa S. A Police Welcome Court Order Protecting Illegal Miners at Stilfontein S. A Police have welcomed an interim court order issued by the Gauteng High Court yesterday for the protection of illegal miners still underground at the disused Stilfontein mines near Klerksdorp in North West. The order provides the miners the opportunity to exit voluntarily and prohibits the blocking of the shafts. Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe says SAPS static deployment operations continue at all abandoned and disused mining shafts in […] todayNovember 18, 2024 29
insert_link South Africa SA Police Issue Indemnity Forms to Volunteers in Hazardous Stilfontein Mine Rescue Operation S.A's Police have given indemnity forms to community volunteers helping with the Stilfontein mine rescue in North West. The police warned against sending officials into the abandoned mine due to dangers, including toxic gases and the risk of armed miners. In a media briefing, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed an investigation is underway following the recovery of the decomposed body of an illegal miner: todayNovember 15, 2024 47
insert_link South Africa S.A. Cabinet Backs Crackdown on Crime and Illegal Mining S.A's Cabinet has strongly condemned the increasing crime rate and expressed full support for efforts to combat illegal mining. It also commended a successful police operation in North West which resulted in the arrest of over one-thousand illegal miners. Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says government is committed to tackling these issues with stronger law enforcement and stricter measures to curb illegal mining, which fuels the rise in criminal […] todayNovember 14, 2024 30
insert_link South Africa 225 illegal miners resurface from underground in S.A’s North West province A total of 225 illegal miners resurfaced from underground in Orkney Mine in North West yesterday due to starvation and dehydration. Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe says they are part of what is believed to be hundreds if not a thousand of illegal miners who are stuck underground with no food, water and necessities because the routes used to deliver food and necessities to these illegal miners, are blocked by vala […] todayNovember 4, 2024 40