On the surface, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s remark, “We will smoke them out”, regarding illegal miners trapped underground in Stilfontein, North West, appears to be a decisive stance on illegal mining – a pervasive issue in South Africa.
However, the underlying implications of this statement expose complex intersections between political rhetoric, governance accountability and human rights.
By refusing assistance to individuals whose lives are in immediate danger, Ntshavheni’s stance raises significant questions about the state’s role in protecting its people, regardless of legal status.
Illegal mining is not new to South Africa, nor is it a trivial matter. Often driven by extreme poverty and a lack of economic alternatives, individuals engage in this dangerous work to sustain themselves and their families.
The consequences, however, are grave. Illegal mining…
