There are mounting calls for a commission of inquiry to be launched into the government’s response to the illegal mining crisis in Stilfontein.
The calls come after close to 80 dead bodies were pulled from an abandoned gold mine this week in a government-led operation to shut down illicit mining networks in the North West.
The third and final phase of a plan to extract hundreds of illegal miners kicked off at the start of the week, marking the beginning of the end of a drawn-out mission in Stilfontein.
The operation is part of a broader plan to clamp down on illegal mining in the area.
In August 2024, police intensified Operation Vala Umgodi to clamp down on illegal mining in Stilfontein.
Part of that plan was a controversial move to cut off food and water supply to the zama zamas.
Human rights activists fought back, accusing the government of a coordinated massacre.
The Democratic Alliance’s James Lorimer:
“We hold these inquiries to find out if anyone hasn’t been doing their job and also we want to find out ways to stop it from happening again.”
Senior attorney at lawyers for human rights Jessica Lawrence: “We are not for one second suggesting that the police should not combat crime but in the combatting of the crime, we cannot allow for the violation of fundamental human rights such as the right to life and the right to dignity.”
Some non-governmental organisations are also mulling legal action against the government, saying there’s a case to answer to in terms of criminal liability.
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