Johannesburg, South Africa – The government of South Africa has declared it will not provide aid to an estimated 4,000 illegal miners trapped in a closed mine in the North West province. The miners have been denied essential supplies as part of an ongoing operation to combat illegal mining.
According to police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone, the miners have suffered from a lack of food, water, and other necessities since access to their supplies was cut off.
“We are not sending help to criminals,” said Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. “They will come out. Criminals are not to be helped.”
Illegal mining remains prevalent in former gold-mining areas of South Africa. The miners, often from neighboring countries, exploit abandoned shafts in search of remaining ore.
The police’s “Vala Umgodi” operation aims to force the miners to the surface for arrest. In recent weeks, over 1,000 miners have emerged from mines, weakened and malnourished.
Police maintain a presence around the mine to apprehend anyone surfacing. However, the miners are known to be heavily armed, and clashes between rival groups have resulted in fatalities.
The government’s refusal to assist the trapped miners has drawn criticism. Activists argue that the decision is inhumane and will lead to unnecessary deaths. Local communities fear that the illegal miners will resort to crime outside the mine.
The situation remains tense, with the miners facing a desperate battle for survival while the government maintains a hardline stance against illegal activities.