Cape Town – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has condemned remarks made by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who said that the government would not assist illegal miners trapped underground in Stilfontein, North West.
Speaking during a media briefing following the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Ntshavheni said the government would instead “smoke them out”.
“We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted.
[WATCH] “We will smoke them out.” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the government will not be sending any help for scores of illegal miners trapped underground in Stilfontein, North West. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/PHCpk6U8au
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 13, 2024
“We didn’t send them there, and they didn’t go down there for the good benefit or for the good intentions for the Republic. So, we can’t help them.
“Those who want to help them, they must go and take the food down there. They will come out, we will arrest them,” the minister said.
Responding to the minister’s remarks, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa criticised Ntshavheni’s labelling of trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein as criminals, arguing that the government similarly labelled the 34 Marikana miners who were killed 12 years ago.
“I don’t know how now they can be able to distinguish between criminals and workers. Thirty-four mine workers were killed while fighting for economic emancipation by the same government. Today they have the guts to say ‘We will smoke them out’,” he said during an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
Reacting to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s remarks, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa says the government is in no position to classify the trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West, as criminals. He says this is because they did the same with the 34… pic.twitter.com/DF0uxD588s
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 13, 2024
The NUM, represented by acting deputy general secretary Phillip Mankge, also slammed Ntshavheni’s comments as “inhumane and irresponsible,” saying that many South Africans have historically relied on unregulated mining.
Mankge argued that the trapped miners’ actions should not be criminalised, as they are seeking economic opportunities.
“As NUM we would like to categorically clear that we do not support the statement. Infact it is inhumane and irresponsible of the minister to utter such words when the people are trapped underground,” said Mankge.
Meanwhile, the Stilfontein community has organised to support the miners, whom they say are in critical need, with some experiencing dehydration and illness, and others reportedly dead.
Community members have protested, calling for governmental intervention, and have attempted to send supplies to the miners.
Stilfontein residents in the North West claim that over 4 000 suspected illegal miners are still underground. The community is calling for urgent intervention, saying some are in bad health down there. Community leader Thembile Botman elaborates.
Watch: https://t.co/lShUTZa9n8… pic.twitter.com/lt7wbLcb1m
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 12, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
