The disaster occurred last week when it was announced that 4000 illegal miners(Zama-Zama) are trapped under ground.
Even the minister of Mineral and Fire Ntshavheni attended the affected area and during her response she made a shocking statement regarding trapped miners.
One of the community leaders Johannes Qankase emphasized that they will do what ever it takes to help those Zama-Zamas who are trapped.
Qankase highlighted that they even took steps where they have approached the South African Human Rights Commission because people’s rights are being undermined.
They (him and three others) approached the commission on November 5, asking it to intervene.
He said “We could see that people’s rights are being undermined. The constitution is very clear that everyone has a right to life and a right to healthcare, water and food but now people have been trapped underground and have gone days without food or water.
“So, we saw it fit for us to approach the human rights commission, When we lodged a complaint we just told them that it was a matter of urgency and they were quick to respond.
“They (human rights commission officials) came here twice to investigate. They have not given us any feedback on what they have seen but we are happy they are acting.”
He went on to thank those who contributed with food and water in trying to save the lives of miners who are trapped.
Qankase said “Whatever money the zama zamas get, they spend it in this community, local shops … so we went back to them and asked for donations.”
Qankase said on Tuesday they sent 400 instant porridge and some bottles of water underground.
He said on Saturday when four people resurfaced, one was badly injured and said he got injured when they were fighting for food underground and was beaten with a rock on the head.
He said “Eight people were fighting for 1kg of the instant porridge. It is bad down there.”
About 100 volunteers have been assisting illegal miners using a rope to pull them out, while their families gather not far from the mine, waiting for their loved ones to resurface.
During the operation SAPS were parked next to the hole used by illegal miners for hours and Qankase said that they ended up shut down operations on Sunday because some of the volunteers were very tired.
He said “So, they had to go and spend some time with their families. We will commence again tomorrow (Monday), after some of them [volunteers] regain their strength.”
On Tuesday, the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution will be heading to the Pretoria High Court to argue for the rights of the zama-zamas.
Human rights activist Abderrrahman Regragui argued in court papers that the illegal miners had been denied access to basic supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining.
In an affidavit, Regragui said the modus operandi of the official strategy was “illegal and unconstitutional”, in that it disregarded the right to life and inflicted torture among other things.
He wrote “It is widely reported that in the past few weeks, more than 1,000 miners have surfaced at various mines in the North West province with many reported to be weak, hungry and sick after going for weeks without basic supplies.
“These alleged illegal miners are suffering from lack of food, water and other necessities after police closed off the entrance used to transport these supplies.”
In addition to the lack of food and water, Regragui said these would invariably result in anxiety.
“The lack of water will invariably result in these miners suffering from dehydration. In addition, miners suffering from chronic illnesses will be denied the right to combat chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and the like.”
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
