Police deny sabotage

DEGRADED: HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP CLAIM MINE PULLEY SYSTEM DAMAGED

- Enkosi Selane

The police have been accused of deliberately sabotaging efforts to assist illegal miners who remain underground at the Stilfontein mine shaft in North West.

Human rights organisation Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) claimed police allowed heavy machinery to damage the critical pulley system used to rescue and supply food to trapped miners.

“The police appear to have deliberately allowed the pulley system to be broken by the grader since the grader started its work,” Macua said.

“The community rescue team explained the importance of the structure to both the police and the grader operator. It was agreed that no work would be done around the pulley system.”

It was concerned about the implications, amid reports of the miners resorting to cannibalism. “This means we can no longer send food down or rescue the miners.