Calls for inquest into deaths of illegal miners in Stilfontein
Activists advocating for the rights of illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, are demanding an official inquest into the deaths of nearly 90 miners in Stilfontein. They argue that criminal liability should be investigated following a government-sanctioned operation aimed at clamping down on illegal mining in the area.
Background: Government Crackdown on Illegal Mining
The Stilfontein area, home to the old Buffelsfontein gold mine, has long been a hotspot for illegal mining activities. Thousands of zama zamas operate in dangerous underground tunnels, mining gold under high-risk conditions.
In recent months, the South African government has intensified operations against illegal miners in an attempt to curb criminal activity, environmental damage, and economic losses linked to the illicit mining sector. As part of this crackdown, police raided the abandoned mine shafts, forcing illegal miners to either resurface or remain trapped underground.
As a result, almost 90 bodies were retrieved from a decommissioned shaft, raising serious concerns about the manner in which the government executed its operation.
Demand for an Inquest into the Deaths
Human rights organizations and lobby groups representing zama zamas argue that these deaths could have been prevented and are now calling for an inquest to determine if the government bears any criminal responsibility.
Speaking on behalf of Lawyers for Human Rights, attorney Mametlwe Sebei said that there is evidence suggesting starvation and dehydration contributed to the deaths.
“Obviously, where there is a crime, accountability and liability must follow,” said Sebei.
This claim raises serious questions about whether police actions—such as sealing off mining shafts—trapped illegal miners underground without access to food, water, or a means of escape.
Mine Rescue Operations and Mass Arrests
The large-scale police operation in Stilfontein began in August 2024 and has since resulted in the arrest of nearly 2,000 illegal miners. While authorities have hailed the operation as a success, lobby groups argue that it came at a devastating human cost.
Last month, mine rescue teams called off a special operation to retrieve survivors after conducting a thorough sweep of the mine shafts. They found no signs of life underground, marking the end of a dangerous and complex mission.
Meanwhile, North West health officials have yet to release the official postmortem results for at least 80 of the deceased miners. These reports will be critical in determining the exact causes of death and whether foul play or negligence was involved.
Parallel Investigations by Human Rights Groups
Unwilling to wait for government findings, human rights groups have commissioned independent pathologists to conduct parallel investigations into the deaths.
Preliminary unofficial findings suggest that starvation and dehydration were significant factors, supporting claims that police operations led to the deaths of miners who were still underground.
This has deepened tensions between activists and authorities, with many questioning whether the government followed due process in its raid of the Stilfontein mining shafts.
What Comes Next?
Several lobby groups convened in Johannesburg on Thursday to discuss the next course of action. The meeting included legal experts, human rights advocates, and representatives of zama zamas, all of whom are pushing for accountability.
They have called on:
- The government to open a formal inquest into the miners’ deaths.
- Law enforcement agencies to investigate possible negligence or misconduct.
- The North West Health Department to release autopsy results as soon as possible.
- The United Nations and human rights watchdogs to assess whether human rights violations occurred.
Broader Implications for Illegal Mining in South Africa
The deaths in Stilfontein have reignited the debate about South Africa’s illegal mining crisis. While authorities argue that illegal mining fuels organized crime and economic instability, activists contend that zama zamas are often economic refugees driven to mining due to poverty and unemployment.
If an inquest finds the government criminally liable, it could set a legal precedent affecting future law enforcement operations against illegal mining. It may also lead to policy changes, shifting the focus from aggressive crackdowns to regulation and integration of informal miners into the formal economy.
Conclusion
As the nation awaits official autopsy results and potential legal proceedings, the Stilfontein tragedy remains a complex and controversial issue. Whether the government will be held accountable or if it will defend its hardline approach to illegal mining remains to be seen.
For now, the deaths of almost 90 miners have sparked national and international concern, with activists determined to seek justice for those who perished underground.
