The South African government has cut off food and water supplies to an estimated 4,000 illegal gold miners hiding underground in Stilfontein, North West province. These miners, colloquially known as “zama zama” (Zulu for “take a chance”), have been living in a disused mineshaft for over a month, refusing to emerge despite worsening conditions.
The government’s operation, dubbed Vala Umgodi (“Close the Hole”), is aimed at curbing illegal mining, a practice that costs South Africa hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost revenue. However, this approach has escalated into a humanitarian crisis, drawing mixed reactions from both local and international observers.
The Economic and Social Context
South Africa, once the world’s largest gold producer, has seen many mines close in recent years due to dwindling resources and operational challenges. As a result, former mine workers and undocumented migrants, primarily from neighboring Lesotho and Mozambique, have resorted to illegal mining. Underground, they dig for gold to sell on the black market, enduring hazardous conditions in a desperate bid to escape poverty.
A thriving underground economy has developed to sustain these miners, with food, cigarettes, and cooked meals sold by suppliers. Some miners reportedly remain underground for months, creating an insular community that defies legal norms.
Government’s Tough Stance
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has taken a hardline position, refusing to provide aid to the miners. “We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals,” she stated. This approach has involved blocking all entrances and exits to the mine and cutting off basic supplies to force the miners to surrender.
Since the operation began, approximately 1,000 miners have resurfaced, many in frail and weakened conditions. Five individuals who emerged on Wednesday were treated by paramedics before being taken into police custody. Those deemed medically stable have been arrested on-site.
The government claims the operation is necessary to combat illegal mining’s broader implications, including environmental degradation and links to criminal syndicates. Over the past year, authorities have seized 400 high-caliber firearms, thousands of bullets, uncut diamonds, and cash associated with illegal mining operations.
Humanitarian Concerns
The crackdown has sparked a humanitarian outcry. Conditions underground are dire, with reports of decomposing bodies and severely malnourished miners. Local volunteers have stepped in, using ropes to retrieve bodies and send limited supplies to those still underground. Communication with the miners has been facilitated through handwritten notes.
“This is no longer about illegal miners this is a humanitarian crisis,” said Busi Thabane of the Benchmarks Foundation, a charity monitoring corporate practices in South Africa. The South African Human Rights Commission has also expressed concern, announcing an investigation into whether the government’s actions violate the miners’ right to life.
Divided Public Opinion
Public reaction to the government’s approach has been divided. Some South Africans have praised the government’s decisiveness in tackling illegal mining. “Finally, our government is not tiptoeing on these serious matters,” one person wrote on social media platform X.
Others, however, have criticized the operation as inhumane. “They are criminals, but they have rights too,” one commenter argued. The humanitarian implications of the operation have drawn comparisons to broader social issues, as many miners are motivated by poverty and a lack of alternatives to provide for their families.
A Complex Issue
While the government aims to address illegal mining decisively, the situation in Stilfontein underscores the complexity of the issue. Balancing law enforcement with humanitarian considerations remains a significant challenge. For many miners, the risks underground pale in comparison to the poverty they face above ground, highlighting the need for broader socio-economic solutions to South Africa’s illegal mining crisis.
