The Gauteng High Court in Tshwane has issued an urgent order to unblock the mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West.
The ruling came after the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution filed an urgent appeal for intervention to rescue those still underground.
An unknown number of illegal miners are still trapped in the disused shafts of Stilfontein, where conditions are harsh and unsafe.
The court ruled that the authorities must now take immediate action to rescue them.
Sebei Mmametlwa, President of the General Industries Workers Union of SA, provided an update on the rescue efforts.
“On arrival, we were able to support the community in breaking a deadlock for further support for the miners underground after engagements with the police and the MEC, who is chairperson of the committee appointed by the Minister to manage the rescue efforts.
“We have agreed on further supplies of 600 packets of instant porridge and water. The rescue efforts by the community are also continuing.”
“Three people have been brought to the surface, and we are continuing to push for more,” he said.
Earlier this week, the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, indicated that the state would not intervene to help the trapped illegal miners.
“You want us to send help to criminals? Honestly? We are not sending help to criminals.”
“We will smoke them out; they will come out on their own. Criminals are not to be helped, they are to be prosecuted,” he said.
Ntshavheni added that the government would not jeopardise law enforcement or military personnel to rescue those who had entered the mines illegally.
“Should we risk the lives of our police officers or soldiers in order to rescue criminals? What if there is a collapse or explosion of the mine during the process? Families shouldn’t need to bear more sacrifice because criminals made poor choices.”
“They got themselves into this mess, and they will have to come out on their own,” he said.
