Stilfontein Tragedy Sparks Outrage: MACUA, ATM and SAFTU Demand Accountability for Miners' Deaths
- The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is pursuing legal options to hold the government accountable for the deaths of illegal miners in Stillfontein
- The African Transformation Movement said Stilfontein was a man-made crisis created by the African National Congress and Democratic Alliance
- Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) has slammed the government for its handling of the Stilfontein tragedy
- Magnificent Mndebele from MACUA spoke exclusively to Briefly News about MACUA's frustration with dealing with the state during the tragedy
Source: Twitter
NORTH WEST - Rescue operations at Buffelsfontein gold mine outside Stilfontein are winding down, but the devastating effects of the tragedy will live long in the memory of many. In the past three days since the court ordered the government to rescue miners, 246 were brought up to the surface, while 78 dead bodies were also retrieved.
The tragedy has divided a nation, with some blaming the government for not taking action sooner, while others argued that the men were underground illegally and, therefore, shouldn’t receive assistance.
Briefly News looks at some differing opinions on the Stilfontein mine disaster.
MACUA says the government acted too late
The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) has been vocal about the government’s handling of the matter, saying that it was an avoidable massacre.
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Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Magnificent Mndebele, head of communication and media at MACUA-WAMUA, said they welcomed the rescue operation by Mine Rescue Services (MRS) and the state. However, they regretted that action to save the lives of those trapped underground came too late for miners who passed away while trying to make a living.
Mndebele added that they acknowledge that “these poor black working-class men were working without proper regulations and state sanction in place," but it was because the state failed to work with communities to create safe and regulated artisanal mining practices.
Source: Twitter
MACUA frustrated with government’s inaction
Mndebele also noted the frustration they experienced in dealing with the state during the crisis, saying they showed no willingness to understand the true nature of the situation. Mndebele said:
“Instead, they have actively articulated a clear message to us and the public that they will 'smoke them out' and show them no mercy. The murderous intent of Operation Vala Umgodi was finally brought to an end not through the goodwill of the state, but rather because we were finally able to obtain irrefutable evidence of the deaths and starvation which Operation Vala Umgodi produced."
Source: Twitter
MACUA believes matters could have been handled better
Mndebele added that the matter was avoidable, saying that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had numerous chances to prevent the crisis but failed to do so.
He added that the State should have acted immediately but only did so after MACUA approached the courts on numerous occasions to highlight the crisis unfolding there.
“The Stilfontein crisis will remain a dark mark in our history, where state organs were complicit in the massacre,” he noted.
He added that they would now observe how the state acted as if it had always cared and was willing to assist the miners. MACUA's comment about the state not caring was also echoed by a community member, who stated that government officials showed no empathy.
ATM blames government as well
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) also laid the blame at the feet of the South African government.
In an official press release, ATM described the rescue operations as necessary in response to a man-made crisis created by the African National Congress and Democratic Alliance-led government.
ATM pointed out that the government’s refusal to do something about the country’s porous borders created an environment conducive to criminal activities and allowed people to view South Africa as a haven for looters. The statement read:
“The ATM expresses deep concern regarding the ongoing illegal mining activities and the associated crises arising from ineffective governance and border control.
“The recent rescue operations highlight a disaster that is largely a result of the negligence of the ruling ANC-DA led government, which has failed dismally to manage our borders adequately and address the challenges posed by abandoned mines."
SAFTU blames government for miners' deaths
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has also blamed the government for the tragic situation in the North West.
SAFTU’s Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi said they were actively pursuing all legal options to hold the government accountable for the deaths at Stilfontein.
Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, has defended the government's actions, describing the events at Stilfontein as criminality. He also warned MACUA about defending criminality with their actions.
“MACUA should be careful not to promote criminality and to say we must protect criminality against justice and fairness,” Mantashe said.
Herman Mashaba has no sympathy
While many have criticised the government, there have been those who have defended the state's actions.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, for one, doesn't think the government should be held accountable. He said that he has no sympathy for criminality in his personal capacity and that the miners went there voluntarily.
What you need to know about the Stilfontein tragedy
- Operation Vala Umgodi blocks food and water deliveries to miners underground at Stilfontein in November 2024.
- Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni promises to smoke out illegal miners.
- The police confirmed that they will lower food to illegal miners still trapped underground.
- Illegal miners are reportedly eating other miners who passed away in order to survive.
- A large number of the illegal miners have been confirmed to be Mozambican nationals.
Dead bodies recovered at Stilfontein
On 15 January 2025, Briefly News reported that 36 dead bodies were retrieved from the Stilfontein mine over two days.
Mine Rescue Services rescued 118 miners as rescue operations finally began at the abandoned mine.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu visited the area but was met by angry protesters who were unhappy with how the matter had been handled.
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Source: Briefly News
