South Africa’s health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, has raised concerns after police planned to provide antiretroviral (ARV) medication to illegal miners trapped underground in the Stilfontein mine in North West Province. The miners, who have been underground for over a month, had sent a note requesting ARVs, primarily used for treating HIV.
The handwritten note, in Zulu, read: ‘Can we please have ARV pills? People need them here, please.’
However, Health Minister Motsoaledi opposed distributing ARVs without proper medical diagnoses. Foster Mohale, a spokesperson for the Health Department, stated:
‘We don’t just willy-nilly give out ARVs because they are chronic medication. What if that medication worsens their condition? A proper diagnosis is required to assess their medical status.’
This request comes amid a tense standoff between miners and authorities. The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria recently issued an interim order allowing relief workers access to the mine.
Relatives of the miners have accused police of trapping them underground and preventing the delivery of food and water. However, police maintain that the miners are underground voluntarily, refusing to emerge for fear of arrest.
In response to the ongoing crisis, authorities launched an operation on Wednesday to ‘rescue’ the miners.
A legal case brought to the South African High Court by the Society for the Protection of our Constitution sought assurances that miners could surface without facing arrest. The court adjourned the matter, but police insisted the ruling does not impede their constitutional duties.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: ‘All illegal miners who resurface will be medically assessed. Those in good health will be detained, while others requiring medical attention will be hospitalised under police guard.’
Illegal mining in South Africa has long been a contentious issue. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently described such activities as a threat to the economy, community safety, and personal security. While calling for a peaceful resolution to the Stilfontein dispute, the president emphasised the need to address the broader dangers posed by illegal mining.
The Stilfontein standoff highlights ongoing tensions between public health, law enforcement, and human rights in South Africa’s mining regions. As the situation unfolds, questions remain over how authorities will balance humanitarian needs and legal enforcement.
Source: Africabriefing
