The interim order was issued on Saturday (16/11) after an urgent application by the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution, was directed at the Ministers of Cooperative Governance, Police, Health, and Mineral Resources.

The court mandated the mine shaft be reopened to enable trapped miners to exit while restricting entry to non-emergency personnel. The application will be finalised on Tuesday (19/11) with costs reserved.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe welcomed the court's decision, emphasising it does not hinder police operations in abandoned and disused mines in Stilfontein and other areas in North West.

“All those who resurface will be assessed by emergency personnel. Those in good health will be processed and detained, while individuals requiring medical care will be hospitalised under police guard,” said Mathe.

The Stilfontein area remains under heightened police activity. As of 16:00 on Saturday, three miners had resurfaced. Earlier that day, authorities arrested a South African man in Kanana at a house used as a smelter. Gold-bearing material and equipment associated with illegal mining were confiscated.

Over 1,000 illegal miners have been arrested in North West during ongoing operations.  This is because police intercepted food and water supplies intended for illegal miners, restricting access to discourage further illegal mining activities.

Stilfontein, like many other towns in North West, has become a hotspot for illegal mining, also known as zama zamas activities.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg