Illegal miners trapped underground at the old Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein have pleaded with authorities to give them ARVs.
Over 4,000 illegal miners, known as “zama zamas,” are reportedly trapped underground in an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West. The miners have been stuck there since the police intensified Operation Vala Umgodi, a crackdown on illegal mining activities.
Illegal Miners Trapped Underground Plead for ARVs in Note from Stilfontein Mine
In a handwritten note, the miners requested medication, specifically antiretrovirals (ARVs), suggesting that some among them are living with HIV.
The note read:
“Sicela ama ARV pills please. Abantu bayadinga ngapha siyanicela bandla.”
Zama zamas, as they are locally known, frequently enter disused mines in search of gold, often facing life-threatening conditions, including cave-ins, toxic gases, and violence from rival groups. Buffelsfontein, once a thriving mining operation, has been abandoned for years, making it a hotspot for illegal activity.
The Standoff
The Gauteng High Court recently ordered the unblocking of the mine shaft to allow emergency personnel to reach the trapped miners. This decision came after the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution applied urgently to the Ministers of Cooperative Governance, Police, Health, and Mineral Resources.
The court mandated that the mine shaft be reopened to enable the miners to exit while restricting entry to non-emergency personnel.
Despite the court order, the situation remains tense. The police and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are maintaining a strong presence in the area, and those who resurface are being assessed by emergency personnel. Those in good health are processed and detained, while individuals requiring medical care are hospitalised under police guard.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the situation at the Stilfontein mine. In his weekly newsletter on November 18, 2024, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving the tense situation through peaceful and safe measures.
The President stressed that law enforcement must ensure that lives are not put at risk and that the rights of all people are respected. He mentioned that the police and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are working to bring the illegal miners to the surface safely while also reducing the risk of harm to both the miners and law enforcement officials.