On Friday (10/1) the High Court in Pretoria ordered the government to appoint Mining Rescue Services (MRS) to assist in the ongoing rescue operations. The ruling comes after an urgent application was filed by Zinzi Tom, whose brother, Ayanda Tom, remains trapped in one of the mine shafts.

Tom shared the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on her and her family.

“We started this operation in October when we approached the police for help. I even rallied the community because my brother is down there. We managed to resurface about 1,400 people, but Shafts 10 and 11, where my brother is believed to be, remain inaccessible. That’s why we decided to take the matter to court,” she said.

Tom described the journey as excruciating. “Even now, I am emotionally dead. I feel nothing. I’m just praying my brother comes out alive.”

She also revealed attempts to communicate with trapped zama zamas to get information about her brother. However, her letters have gone unanswered, adding to her fears about her brother.

“They are using gaters which are extremely dangerous. In Shaft 10, for example, if 20 people attempt to resurface, only four might survive. The rest die. I haven’t spoken to my brother since the day he went underground to hustle,” she explained.

A recent haunting letter from miners trapped in Shaft 11 has brought the dire situation into focus.

“Mothers and Fathers, we come in peace. People around us are dying by the hour, and currently, 109 people have died. We are living a fearful existence and would appreciate your sympathy.” 

Since the rescue operations began on 18 August 2024, a total of 1,567 miners have resurfaced. Many were assisted by community members and organisations working tirelessly to save lives.

Over 60 undocumented foreign nationals, commonly known as zama zamas, who were arrested in Stilfontein have been deported during this period.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg