South African authorities are facing severe criticism following the retrieval of 78 bodies from an abandoned gold mine near Stilfontein, southwest of Johannesburg. Police confirmed on Wednesday that the rescue operation, which began earlier this week, has concluded, with over 240 survivors brought to safety.
The mine, located approximately two kilometers underground, became the site of tragedy as police reportedly cut off food and water supplies to force illegal miners to surface. This move, described as a “horrific crackdown” by trade unions, left miners struggling for survival.
Controversial Police Actions
In August, law enforcement halted the delivery of essential supplies to the miners, many of whom are undocumented workers from Mozambique and neighboring Southern African nations. Police maintained their stance, with spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stating, “Our mandate was to combat criminality, and that is exactly what we’ve been doing. Providing food and water would have been entertaining and allowing criminality to thrive.”
Critics, however, argue that the government’s delay in launching a rescue mission amounted to negligence. Civil rights groups claim that miners were effectively left to die from starvation or dehydration.
Call for Accountability
The South African Federation of Trade Unions condemned the situation, labeling it “one of the most horrific displays of state willful negligence in recent history.” The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the governing coalition, has called for an independent inquiry, asserting that the crisis spiraled “badly out of hand.”
Rescue Operation and Aftermath
Police reported that 1,576 miners had exited the mine independently between August and the start of the formal rescue operation last week. All were detained, with 121 already deported.
Despite a court ruling in December that allowed volunteers to send essential supplies to the miners, many had already succumbed to the harsh conditions. Rescuers completed their mission with plans for a final sweep of the mine on Thursday to ensure no one remains underground.
The tragedy has reignited debates over how to address illegal mining in South Africa and the treatment of vulnerable migrant workers.
