Desperation for zama zamas

Authorities fear survivors may be too weak to resurface by themselves.

- Jarryd Westerdale

A letter sent from underground at Stilfontein mine highlights the dire situation facing illegal miners, which has led to them apparently resorting to cannibalism.

It has been almost a month since the High Court in Pretoria granted an interim order allowing illegal miners to receive emergency aid.

However, the non-profit organisation supplying the food is running low on resources, with the bodies of the surfacing men illustrating the extreme malnourishment being experienced.

Two further court dates have sought to expedite the relief efforts, but the arguments fell on deaf legal ears.

A full hearing relating to the interim order scheduled for 5 December was postponed to 12 February, while Mining Communities United in Action (Macua) last week made another urgent application at the High Court in Pretoria.

The application sought to compel authorities to provide food and necessities to the miners as well as begin rescue operations within 24 hours.

This application was dismissed with costs on 20 December, leaving Macua's dwindling efforts the only relief for the increasingly unhealthy miners.