South African government accused of genocide in tackling Stilfontein’s illegal miners

More than 78 bodies and more than 200 survivors have been pulled out of the Buffelsfontein near Stilfontein in South Africa’s North West province since a court on Monday ordered the Government to assist with rescue efforts. In total, 324 people including survivors and dead bodies were retrieved. Some families say they are still looking for their loved ones.

The stand-off began in November when the government ordered police to arrest any miner who surfaced, saying it was determined to end illegal mining. But its approach estranged the local Stilfontein community and NGOs which culminated in government officials being told on Tuesday to leave the mine, believing they were ultimately responsible for the deaths of the miners.

A miners’ rights group, MACUA (Mining Affected Communities United in Action) said the crisis was a “massacre, if not a genocide”, because the government’s “intention” to use starvation as a tool to force out the miners encroached on their right to life.

Rescued miners would be treated in hospital before appearing in court. But the Democratic Alliance is calling for an investigation. James Lorimer, the shadow mines minister said the DA sent a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for a “full and transparent” investigation into the “disaster”. The DA also said the role of government agencies, as well as the mine owners and operators, should be investigated.