They said their aim is to help zama zamas regain strength to come to the surface, not to cater to luxury demands.

In a letter, written in Sesotho and provided by a zama zama who surfaced from a shaft on Monday (9/12), his accomplices down below asked for food items such as mayonnaise, tomato sauce, tinned fish, and baked beans, as well as personal essentials like washing powder, bathing soap, and paraffin.

Letter written by a zama zama who are underground at a shaft in Stilfontein. Photo: Screengrab           

Community activist Johannes Qankase made it clear while the community is committed to help the miners, they won’t entertain demands perceived as excessive.

Community activist in Stilfontein, Johannes Qankase. Photo: Screenshot

“We are not here for luxuries,” he said. “We aim to provide essential aid to help these individuals regain their strength and come to the surface. Requests for items like mayonnaise and tomato sauce go beyond our purpose … Our focus remains to ensure their survival and to encourage them to emerge safely.”

During his visit to the site, National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola raised concerns about the unrestricted flow of supplies underground, suggesting it might encourage the miners to extend their stay, possibly for up to a year.

But Qankase reiterated the community’s primary objective is to ensure the miners’ safe return to the surface. Aid provided over the past two months was meant to sustain the miners temporarily and give them strength to surface, not to enable staying underground indefinitely.

Sanco provincial spokesperson Mzukisi Jam previously criticised the government and law enforcement for what he described as inadequate efforts to address the situation.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg