South African Authorities Investigating Deaths of 87 Miners

South African authorities face mounting criticism over a police operation that led to the deaths of 87 miners in an abandoned gold mine near Stilfontein.

At a Glance

  • 87 miners died underground during a police operation to combat illegal mining
  • Police cut off food and water supplies to force miners out of an abandoned mine
  • Over 240 survivors were rescued and subsequently arrested
  • The operation, called “Close the Hole,” aimed to curb illegal mining costing South Africa billions
  • Rights groups accuse authorities of using starvation as a weapon

Tragic Outcome of Police Operation

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is under increasing pressure to launch a national inquiry into a controversial police operation that resulted in the deaths of 87 miners. The incident, which occurred at an abandoned gold mine near Stilfontein, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the tactics employed by law enforcement in their efforts to combat illegal mining activities.

The operation, dubbed “Close the Hole,” was launched in August with the aim of curbing illegal mining activities that reportedly cost South Africa over $3 billion in gold last year.

Police implemented a strategy of cutting off food and water supplies to force the miners, known as “zama zamas,” to surrender. However, this approach led to catastrophic consequences, with many miners dying from starvation or dehydration.

Following a court order, a rescue operation was initiated, resulting in the retrieval of over 240 survivors. Many of these individuals were found in an emaciated state after spending months underground. Upon rescue, the survivors were promptly arrested, highlighting the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the situation.

Controversy Over Police Tactics

The police maintain that the miners were not trapped and could have escaped, with reports suggesting that over 1,500 had already done so. However, many remained underground, reportedly out of fear of arrest. The operation also resulted in the seizure of gold, explosives, firearms, and cash from the miners, which the police use to defend their strict measures.

The Democratic Alliance party has called for an inquiry to assess police actions and motivations, questioning whether the harsh measures were influenced by the miners’ undocumented status. Many of the “zama zamas” are undocumented foreign nationals from neighboring countries such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, often involved in criminal syndicates.

As the death toll continues to rise, there are growing demands for accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident. President Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to comment on the situation, adding to the pressure for a national inquiry.