https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241203/south-african-court-reportedly-allows-charities-to-provide-relief-aid-to-illegal-miners-1069519884.html
South African Court Reportedly Allows Charities to Provide Relief Aid to Illegal Miners
South African Court Reportedly Allows Charities to Provide Relief Aid to Illegal Miners
Sputnik Africa
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - According to the South African Institute of International Relations, the number of miners involved in illegal mining in the country reaches... 03.12.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-12-03T08:18+0100
2024-12-03T08:18+0100
2024-12-03T08:18+0100
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A high court in Pretoria has issued an interim ruling allowing charities to provide life-saving aid to illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, who have been holed up underground at Stilfontein mine in the North West province in South Africa, media reported. Thembile Botman, the leader of the community-based organization Mining Affected Communities United in Action, said the aid had not been sent underground as of Monday while appeals for aid were ongoing. Some 4,000 illegal miners were reported to have been trapped in an abandoned mine shaft in mid-November. About a hundred zama zamas made it onto the surface within days and were detained. Locals were prohibited from bringing them food or water by the authorities who said they planned to "smoke them out." The police said they would not conduct a rescue operation for unlicensed miners. It is unknown how many people remain underground to avoid arrest.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241116/sa-president-deploys-1100-soldiers-to-tackle-illegal-miners-at-abandoned-gold-mine-army-chief-says-1069265582.html
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south africa, pretoria, mining, southern africa, charity, humanitarian aid , court
south africa, pretoria, mining, southern africa, charity, humanitarian aid , court
South African Court Reportedly Allows Charities to Provide Relief Aid to Illegal Miners
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - According to the South African Institute of International Relations, the number of miners involved in illegal mining in the country reaches 70,000. Up to 50 tons of gold are illegally mined in South Africa per year.
A high court in Pretoria has issued an interim ruling allowing charities to provide life-saving aid to
illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, who have been holed up underground at Stilfontein mine in the North West province in South Africa, media reported.
"Within two hours of the court order being handed down, allow community members, charitable organizations, and interested parties to in an orderly manner provide humanitarian aid including water, food, and medication to the artisanal miners trapped underground at shafts 10 and 11 of the Stilfontein gold mine," the court ruled on Sunday.
Thembile Botman, the leader of the community-based organization Mining Affected Communities United in Action, said the aid had not been sent underground as of Monday while appeals for aid were ongoing.
Some 4,000 illegal miners were reported to have been trapped in an abandoned mine shaft in mid-November. About a hundred zama zamas made it onto the surface within days and were detained. Locals were prohibited from bringing them food or water by the authorities who said they planned to "smoke them out." The police said they would not conduct a rescue operation for unlicensed miners. It is unknown how many people remain underground to avoid arrest.
