A South African court has ordered police to allow illegal miners trapped in Stilfontein’s mine shaft to leave, following a standoff that raised concerns about their safety. The High Court in Pretoria issued a temporary ruling, mandating access for emergency workers and ensuring miners can exit without obstruction. This decision comes after police blocked food and water supplies, prompting an investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission into the restrictions. Authorities have retrieved at least one decomposed body, highlighting the risks illegal miners face. The Stilfontein mine is one of 6,000 abandoned sites vulnerable to illegal operations due to improper closures by companies who move on to other endeavors. While police welcomed the court’s decision, they emphasized that healthy miners would face detention upon resurfacing. The case will undergo a full hearing next week.
SOURCE: CNN
