Vavi Expresses Concern Over Stilfontein Zama Zamas Trapped Without Aid

“Slow Death”: Vavi Criticizes State Response to Stilfontein Illegal Mining Crisis

Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of the Saftu, has voiced serious concerns over the predicament of illegal miners (zama zamas) trapped at a disused mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West. The miners have been stuck underground without food or water since Saturday, sparking national outrage and renewed debate on the government’s role in managing abandoned mines.

Rescues Delayed Amid Growing Desperation

The rescue operations, led by a team of mine rescue experts promised by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, have progressed slowly. Excavators have been deployed to clear the surface, with plans to send cameras underground before further action. Despite these efforts, no miners have been brought to the surface since Saturday, leaving their fate uncertain.

Community leader Thembile Botman attributed the miners’ desperation to rising unemployment and poverty exacerbated by the closure of local mines. Botman criticized the lack of a plan to transition mine workers to alternative livelihoods when operations ceased.

Vavi’s Criticism of the State

Vavi accused the government of neglect, claiming that the delay in rescuing the miners measures up to a “slow death.” He condemned xenophobic remarks suggesting that the miners should be left to perish underground, calling them inhumane and insensitive.

He linked the crisis to South Africa’s broader mining legacy, highlighting the Auditor-General’s 2021 report that documented 6,100 abandoned mines causing environmental and social harm. According to Vavi, these abandoned sites represent the real “crime scene” in the country.

Community vs. Government

Tensions have escalated between Stilfontein residents and the police, with community members accusing law enforcement of blocking food deliveries to the trapped miners. Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone labelled the site a crime scene, underscoring the need for controlled operations.

A Call for Change

Both Vavi and Botman emphasized the need for systemic changes in mining policy. Vavi called for a humane approach to the trapped miners, while Botman urged the government to regulate and rehabilitate abandoned mines to alleviate unemployment and poverty.

Also read: Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi on ARVs for Illegal Miners: ‘ARVs Are Not Panado’