The South African Police Services (SAPS) bound by a court order have promised to deliver the antiretroviral (ARV) medication to illegal miners who remain underground, on an abandoned gold mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West.
This follows after the illegal miners otherwise known as Zama-Zama’s sent some correspondence to on-site and community ‘rescue teams that read: “Sicela ama ARVs plz, abantu bayawadinga ngapha. Siyacela (We need ARVs, people need them here, please).”
The South African Criminal Justice System took to their X (formerly Twitter) page to share the note.
[UPDATES: STILFONTEIN ILLEGAL MINE]
The on-site authorities and community ‘rescue teams’ have received correspondence from underground illegal miners
“Sicela ama ARVs plz, abantu bayawadinga ngapha. Siyacela” translated in English “We need ARVs, people need them here, please!” pic.twitter.com/RVr8MCSG2Y
— South African Criminal Justice System (@RSA_CJS) November 18, 2024
Newzroom Africa also took to their X page to share a clip of the police saying they will send ARVs to the Zama-Zama’s.
[WATCH] Police say they will send ARVs to the illegal miners who refuse to resurface at the disused Stilfontein mine shaft in the North West. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/eJ1y8kxC2s
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 18, 2024
Addressing the media, Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe made it clear that the illegal miners are not trapped.
[WATCH: STILFONTEIN ILLEGAL MINE]
Clearing misconceptions and some media reports, the illegal miners at the Stilfontein mine shaft ARE NOT TRAPPED. What is happening underground is pure criminality and the activities down there are of a criminal bent.#IllegalMining pic.twitter.com/Vo8vgTkWCx
— South African Criminal Justice System (@RSA_CJS) November 19, 2024
The authorities had blocked the mine’s entrance and stopped water, food and necessary supplies with intentions to force the Zama-Zama’s out of the mine, however, the illegal miners remained underground fearing to be arrested.
After the Pretoria High Court Order mandated authorities to unblock entrances of the mine, the police said they would provide water, food and medication to the Zama-Zama’s to ensure the safety of life.
X users weighed in on the matter.
One user said:
Elders have to go to clinic to get the ARVs but criminals who don’t want to come out because they don’t want to be arrested are getting ARVs delivered to them..I hate this country. https://t.co/D9Du1fxr8G
— Tshilidzi (@CeciliaMunyai) November 18, 2024
Podcaster, Sol Phenduka said:
Now they demand ARV’s. These guys are truly sick. https://t.co/GRwgDCBmmF
— Thandubuntu Solomzi (@Solphendukaa) November 18, 2024
Another one said:
On a serous note though, South Africans have tolerated way beyond reasonable. Zama Zamas are in the country illegally, trapped in a mine illegally and for some odd reason demands ARVs from the government that they are stealing it’s minerals and undermining it’s authority.
— Bekithemba Zulu 🇿🇦 (@BekithembaZ) November 18, 2024
Also see: The curious case of the Zama Zama’s – What should the South African government do? | Bona Magazine
