The tragic aftermath of an operation to retrieve illegal miners at the disused Buffelsfontein mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West province, has drawn international attention.
Among those responding is Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, who visited the site to address the situation and offer support.
Supporting South African Authorities
During his visit, Consul General Phiri emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to collaborating with South African authorities.
Speaking to the media, he assured that his government was ready to assist in resolving the crisis:
“As a country, we are here to work closely with the South African government to ensure this process reaches its conclusion and finality.”
Phiri detailed the consulate’s immediate priorities, including verifying and identifying the individuals involved in the incident.
“Our major responsibility, as far as this case is concerned, is the identification, verification, and profiling of those affected,” he stated.
Identifying Survivors and the Deceased
Phiri outlined plans to use information from the 465 miners brought to the surface alive to gather details about others who may have been underground.
“We will try to extract as much information as possible so that we have a clear indication of who exactly was operating underground, particularly those from Zimbabwe,” he said.
A significant challenge is the identification of the deceased, many of whom lacked documentation.
Phiri explained, “We want to make sure that we identify and satisfy ourselves as to who among them are Zimbabweans.”
He added that Zimbabwe would repatriate its deceased nationals for dignified burials.
The Risks of Illegal Mining
Stilfontein, once a thriving mining town, has become synonymous with illegal mining activities in recent years.
Disused mine shafts, like the one at Buffelsfontein, attract desperate individuals known as zama zamas, who face hazardous conditions, including deadly collapses.
Many zama zamas operate without proper documentation, complicating efforts to identify them, particularly in cases of fatalities.
The risks they face highlight the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address illegal mining and its consequences.
