A system of pulleys and ropes installed by members of the South Africa Police Service is set up over an entrance to a disused gold mine shaft in Stilfontein, around 150km south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa, 17 November 2024. A South African court has ordered the lifting of a police blockade of the abandoned gold mine, in which people are illegally located. Police had blocked the mine in an attempt to force the people inside to exit. Picture: EPA-EFE/STRINGER
The Stilfontein gold mine saga has taken a twist with reports that an individual attempted to illicit a cut from a team of rescuers at the mine.
The rescuers were deployed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu at the Stifontein mine last week.
North West police on Thursday told The Citizen they are investigating a case of extortion following a demand for a 30% cut of the rescue project.
Police Spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said they are investigating the reported extortion demand.
“We are aware that there’s somebody who demanded 30% from one of the contractors that were working here to clear the site.
“We are working on it. There’s no formal case that has been opened. The reason we are raising it [is because] we want members of the community also to be aware that not everybody who is here, is here for a good cause. We have people here but for ulterior motives, but we will definitely follow up on that,” Mokgwabone said.
ALSO READ: Stilfontein mine: Police will still arrest illegal miners after court order
Mokgwabone said the plan to “rescue the illegal miners is continuing.
“It is just that people are saying it is too slow. We are working on it, it’s underway, they must give us time because it’s actually the mine rescue team that is working here.”
He said they would not give up until the zama zamas are out of the mine.
“The only time that we can say that they don’t want to come out is maybe after something has been done to make sure that whether it’s a crane or whatever assistance. If supose we send a lift or whatever and they don’t want to come out, that is the only time that we can say that they don’t want to come out.
“But for now, we are hoping that whatever effort is being [made] to assist them, they will cooperate,” Mokgwabone said.
Earlier in the month, the South African Police Service (Saps) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) allowed food and water deliveries to the illegal miners in Stilfontein who remained underground.
Police and other safety officials will remain in place until all illegal miners have resurfaced and arrested.
The exact number of zama zamas underground is not clear.
While some say there are more than 4 000 people underground, police have disputed the figure, saying their intelligence suggests there are only hundreds of illegal miners beneath the earth’s surface.
ALSO READ: Lawyer representing illegal miners says Stilfontein standoff is ‘worse than Marikana’
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