Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
23 November 2024 | 17:36 CAT

Police minister Senzo Mchunu inspects the mine shaft outside where illegal miners are hiding underground in Stilfontein, November 15 2024. Picture: REUTERS/IHSAAN HAFFEJEE

Efforts to rescue miners trapped underground at the Stilfontein Mine have ignited outrage among activists and union representatives, who accuse government and corporate leaders of negligence. The mine tragedy, which has seen up to 4,000 artisanal miners stranded for months in dire conditions, highlights deep-seated issues in South Africa’s mining industry and governance.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Koketso Pasha, a representative of the trade union Giwusa and part of a crisis response group described the ongoing rescue operations as painfully slow and inadequate. “These miners are enduring conditions no human should face, inhaling toxic gases, lacking food, water, and critical medication,” said Pasha. “While progress has been, it’s happening at a snail’s pace, leaving many lives at risk.”

The crisis began when tunnels were intentionally blocked, trapping miners underground. Court rulings recently enabled limited rescue operations, but activists believe more decisive action is needed. Criticism has also been directed at government officials, with some reportedly suggesting the miners should be denied necessities. Pasha condemned such remarks as “selfish, insensitive, and murderous.”

The tragedy exposes systemic failures in the mining sector. Pasha underscored that mine closures often devastate local economies, leaving communities with no sustainable means of survival. “The miners themselves are victims of exploitative extractivism. These mines enrich their owners while neglecting their duty to rehabilitate communities after operations cease,” he said.

Activists argue that the crisis stems from a toxic partnership between government and corporate interests. Pasha emphasized urgent reforms: “We need a government prioritising people over profit. When businesses retrench workers, the government must create jobs or provide an environment where businesses can thrive responsibly.”

Despite the bleak situation, there have been calls for action to ensure mines foster sustainable development. “Mines must build post-closure economies that support local communities, so we don’t see livelihoods collapse,” Pasha urged.

As rescue efforts continue, activists are demanding accountability and long-term solutions. “The right to life must come before bureaucratic red tape or profit,” Pasha concluded.

Listen to the full interview on the Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Koketso Pasha here.