Groups urge caution in tackling illegal miners

Organisations fighting for the rights of mining-affected communities have cautioned government when dealing with illegal miners believed to be trapped in a Barberton mine in Mpumalanga.

- Masoka Dube

The organisations were reacting to an incident in which police reportedly forced out about 1000 miners from an old mine shaft.

According to some sources, there are many miners underground expected to resurface, although the area is being monitored and guarded by the police.

"The police must use proper and legal procedures to force the miners out instead of cutting food supply and water like they did in Stilfontein mine, North West. We were told that others are still inside as they ran back to avoid arrest," said Zethu Hlatshwayo, spokesperson for the National Association of Artisanal Miners.

Another association, Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua), welcomed the arrests.