JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that lives should not be endangered in a standoff between police and hundreds of illegal miners trapped underground in a disused mine shaft and that the miners must be safely recovered.
Police have blocked the miners’ food and water supplies to drive them out and arrest them for illegally entering the abandoned mine in North West Province in search of leftover gold – a problem that has plagued South Africa for decades.
More than a thousand illegal miners have emerged in recent weeks, but police said last week that hundreds more could be underground. Local residents and human rights groups have criticized authorities for blocking their supplies.
In a weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the situation was precarious and could become volatile.
“The Stilfontein mine is a crime scene where illegal mining is being committed. It is standard police practice everywhere to secure a crime scene and block escape routes allowing criminals to evade arrest,” he said.
Ramaphosa urged police to respect the miners’ rights and not endanger their lives, saying his government would work with the mining industry on the issue of illegal mining.
“The police will carry out their duties and responsibilities to bring the illegal miners to the surface safely,” he said.
Illegal mining is flourishing in South Africa through petty theft and organized criminal networks, costing the economy billions of rand in lost revenues and royalties.
It was unclear whether those still in the mine were unwilling or unable to escape. Public broadcaster SABC said volunteers had brought 12 miners to the surface since last Wednesday.
