Several hundred people are believed to be trapped in an illegal mine in South Africa after the government cut off water and food supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining.
It is part of a police operation called “Close the Hole” to force them to come out. Police sources say they have information that as many as 4,000 people may be underground, mostly poor people living in the area.
The miners are often from neighbouring countries, and police say the illegal operations involve larger unions that employ the miners.
“We have consulted with the mine owner and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and they have told us that it is not safe, it is inhumane to allow people to go there. We have taken the decision that no police officer, no soldier, no civil servant will go down into the abandoned mine. There are dangerous gases flowing. There is a high risk of loss of life,” said national police spokeswoman Atlenda Mate.
Tembil Botman, a community leader and volunteer, recalled that the government had filed a lawsuit against Israel for not providing food to the people.
“Now we are here in South Africa. The same government will not provide food to people who are dying,” he said.
Photo: illustration
