Mantashe maintains govt will not be held responsible for illegal mining deaths

Mantashe

Cape Town — Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, reiterated that the government cannot be held responsible for the deaths of the illegal miners in Stilfontein.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) said that if pathology tests confirmed starvation as a cause of death then the government must be held accountable, saying the massacre reflected the government’s failure to uphold the Constitution’s right to life, TimesLIVE reported.

“It is unconscionable that the government allowed this situation to deteriorate to such an extent. The cold, nonchalant manner in which government officials treat this needless massacre is a testament to how cheap black life is,” SAFTU general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi said.

In total, more than 78 dead bodies were pulled from the mine, and 216 survivors were rescued in operations. However, Minister Mantashe said the government cannot be held responsible for the situation as the miners went underground on their own will.

“If you go to a dangerous place, such as a neglected mine, and stay there for about three months, starving yourself to death, how does that become the responsibility of the state?” Mantashe questioned.

He said capital-owned mines exploit resources and make money when there’s a risk it must be offloaded to the state. Mantashe said the responsibility lies with the mine owners.

“If I am the owner of a mine, making money and generating a profit, I should equally take responsibility,” he said. He said the Stilfontein mine, which is owned by the Buffelsfontein Gold Company.

He highlighted the economic impact of illegal mining, estimating it resulted in a loss to the economy of about R60bn in 2024.

According to EWN,  Mantashe said South Africa recorded the lowest number of mining fatalities in its history in 2024. He revealed that 42 fatalities were recorded in the mining sector in 2024, 13 less than the previous year.

Mantashe revealed that more than 500 000 people were employed in the mining industry, 42% making up contract workers. However, the biggest feat for the sector was that it recorded its lowest number of fatalities in the history of mining in South Africa.

“The South African mining industry recorded 42 fatalities in the year 2024, marking the lowest number of fatalities in the history of mining in South Africa,” said Mantashe.

Mantashe attributed the reduction in accidents and fatalities to a concerted effort by mining companies and mineworkers.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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