The organisation's submission highlights what it refers to as the "Stillfontein Massacre," alleging gross human rights violations by the state, including the abandonment of artisanal miners trapped underground at Shaft 11.

MACUA accuses authorities of denying critical humanitarian aid to these miners, ultimately leading to unnecessary deaths. The SAHRC launched the inquiry in response to the scale and severity of events at Stillfontein, potentially marking a turning point in how the country engages with the often-overlooked sector of informal mining.

MACUA’s National Co-ordinator, Meshack Mbangula, explained that Shaft 11, previously owned by Stillfontein Mine, had been abandoned without rehabilitation. Due to widespread poverty in the Klerksdorp area, community members, whose only expertise lay in mining, resorted to working in the abandoned shaft using traditional rope-based systems for entry and exit.

According to Mbangula, in August 2023, law enforcement authorities conducted a raid without consulting community leaders or miners. During the operation, they cut off the ropes used to access the mine and chased away those providing food and assistance to the underground workers. With no means of communication or escape, the miners remained trapped for nearly three months before intervention efforts by Makua and volunteers forced the provincial government to allow food and rescue operations.

MACUA’s report to the SAHRC argues that the SA government violated constitutional rights, particularly the right to life and access to food and water. The organisation insists that even individuals accused of illegal mining should not be subjected to inhumane treatment.

In addition to seeking accountability for those responsible, Makua is advocating for amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA). The organisation believes that formalising and decriminalising artisanal mining would not only improve safety but also contribute positively to the national economy.

Mbangula highlighted the need for greater engagement with artisanal miners, arguing that their expertise could help transform the sector into a source of employment and economic growth. He also criticised the government’s inconsistent approach to illegal mining, noting that while large commercial mines often operate without licences for extended periods, enforcement efforts disproportionately target impoverished communities.

The SAHRC’s inquiry is expected to bring greater scrutiny to informal mining policies and could pave the way for much-needed legislative reforms.

--ChannelAfrica--