South Africa Faces Backlash Over Handling of Illegal Miners’ Standoff, Death Toll Hits 87
South African authorities are facing mounting criticism over their response to a standoff with illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine, where at least 87 people have died. The miners, suspected to have perished from starvation and dehydration, were reportedly denied assistance by authorities, who initially opted to “smoke them out” by cutting off food supplies. This decision has sparked outrage, with accusations that police and mine owners dismantled crucial rescue systems, such as ropes and pulleys.
Community groups, frustrated by the lack of official help, launched their own rescue efforts, while courts later intervened, ordering authorities to allow food and water deliveries and initiate a formal rescue operation. Despite the slow response, Mannas Fourie, CEO of the Mines and Rescue service, praised the “world first” rescue operation using a unique machine developed by South Africa’s mining industry.
Many locals had warned of the unfolding disaster, with volunteers recovering decomposing bodies from the mine weeks ago. The incident has led to calls for an independent inquiry, with political leaders urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the handling of the crisis.
Authorities now estimate that nearly 2,000 miners had been working illegally in the mine since August last year.