Fri Nov 15 05:56:19 UTC 2024: ## South African Government Refuses to Aid Trapped Illegal Miners in Stilfontein

**JOHANNESBURG, November 15, 2024** – The South African government has declared it will not assist a group of illegal miners trapped in a closed mine in Stilfontein, North West province. The miners are believed to be suffering from a lack of food, water, and other basic necessities after police shut off their supply routes as part of the “Vala Umgodi” (“Close the Hole”) operation.

The operation aims to force the miners to surface and face arrest. While initial reports suggested up to 4,000 miners were trapped, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe later revised the estimate to between 350 and 400.

“We feel that the numbers are being exaggerated,” said Mathe. “We have deployed maximum resources to this case, including our intelligence operatives who are on the ground.”

The South African Ministers of Police and Defense are scheduled to visit the mine today to discuss the situation with officials and community members.

Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni justified the government’s stance, stating that they will not aid criminals. “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out,” said Ntshavheni.

The illegal miners are believed to be heavily armed, and police have seized over 369 firearms, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and millions of dollars in cash and diamonds since launching operations against them last December.

Illegal mining remains a persistent problem in South Africa’s former gold-mining regions, with miners venturing into abandoned shafts in search of remaining deposits. The practice often involves large syndicates employing miners from neighboring countries.

The presence of illegal miners has also caused issues with nearby communities, who report increased crime, including robbery and rape. Rival groups are known to be heavily armed, leading to violent confrontations.

Despite the dire situation, the government remains steadfast in its refusal to assist the trapped miners. Police are currently guarding the mine’s perimeter to apprehend any miners who emerge.

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