Thursday, 14 November 2024.

 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes, with concern, the ongoing Operation Vala Umgodi aimed at removing illegal miners in Orkney, North West Province. While we acknowledge the need to address illegal mining and its impact on local communities, the current approach lacks humanity and is causing undue suffering.

 

Reports indicate that approximately 4,500 miners remain trapped underground, with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and South African Police Service (SAPS) blocking access to food, water, and basic necessities. This tactic has forced many miners to emerge due to severe dehydration, starvation, and deteriorating health. Such measures are not only inhumane but also escalate the risk of a humanitarian crisis, as those underground become increasingly weak and desperate.

 

We understand the devastating consequences of illegal mining on local economies, the environment, and public safety. However, this operation must balance enforcement with respect for human rights and dignity. Denying access to basic necessities does not serve justice; instead, it risks lives and worsens the suffering of people already in vulnerable situations.

 

This crisis did not emerge overnight; it is the result of years of government neglect and failure to properly address illegal mining and its root causes. Abandoned and disused mine shafts, many of which were supposed to be sealed and rehabilitated by mining companies, have been left open, becoming havens for illegal mining syndicates. The government’s lack of oversight and enforcement in ensuring that mining companies adhere to environmental and safety regulations has directly contributed to the growth of illegal mining.

 

Additionally, our struggling economy, marked by high unemployment and poverty, has forced many people into dangerous activities like illegal mining just to survive. These desperate actions are a reflection of our country’s socioeconomic challenges, and addressing them requires meaningful solutions that tackle both the symptoms and the causes of this crisis.

 

It has taken volunteers from the community to go underground to save some of the miners, while the authorities seem to still be insistent that they will “smoke them out” through starvation and other means. Community members are reporting that a significant number of miners are now dehydrated and have fallen sick while underground, and are in dire need of medical assistance.

 

We urge law enforcement agencies to adopt humane strategies in handling this crisis and to consider the health and safety of all individuals involved. As the EFF, we remain committed to advocating for justice that does not compromise the dignity and humanity of any person

 

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572