A temporary ruling allowed charities to provide humanitarian aid to illegal miners trapped in the Stilfontein mine.
The ruling covers the provision of essential needs such as food, water, and medicine to alleviate the miners’ situation.
Background:
• Around 4,000 illegal miners (zama zamas) are trapped in abandoned mine shafts.
• In mid-November, about 100 miners were arrested after emerging to the surface, while it remains unclear how many are still trapped underground.
• The police announced they would not carry out a rescue operation for unauthorized miners and had prohibited the local population from providing assistance.
Court Ruling:
• In a decision made on Sunday, humanitarian organizations and communities were granted approval to regularly access and provide humanitarian aid.
• However, Thembile Botman, leader of Mining Affected Communities United in Action, reported that no aid had been sent yet following the ruling.
Challenges and Concerns:
• The police and authorities are concerned that the aid could prevent the miners from emerging to the surface and may encourage illegal mining activities.
• Charities and communities argue that the humanitarian crisis needs urgent attention.
This event raises an important discussion regarding illegal mining activities and the legal and ethical dimensions of humanitarian aid.
