Mashaba, McKenzie back Ntshavheni after backlash over stance on illegal miners

Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba have backed the Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s stance on the illegal miners who are currently underground in unused mine shafts in the North West. 

There are reportedly hundreds of illegal miners underground in unused mine shafts in Stilfontein after police blocked entry and exit points that community members use to deliver food and water to the so-called zama zamas. 

SUPPORT FOR NTSHAVHENI OVER STANCE ON ILLEGAL MINERS

On Wednesday, Ntshavheni said government would not assist the zama zamas and referred to them as “criminals” who need to be “persecuted”, not helped.

“You want us to send help to criminals? Honestly, we’re not sending help to criminals. We’re going to smoke them out; they will come out. We’re not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped; criminals are to be persecuted. 

“We didn’t send them there, and they didn’t go down there for the benefit of good intentions of the republic. So, we can’t help them; those who want to help them must go and take the food down there. They will come out, and we’ll arrest them,” Ntshavheni said. 

And now, fellow Cabinet minister and Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader McKenzie has expressed support for Ntshavheni. 

“Thank you minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, let there be smoke, lots of smoke,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). 

Likewise, Mashaba echoed McKenzie’s sentiments, saying government should not negotiate with criminals, presumably referring to the illegal miners. 

“I fully support the minister’s stance,” he also posted on X.

In contrast, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) criticised law-enforcement agencies, saying such measures were not only inhumane but also escalate the risk of a humanitarian crisis, as those underground become increasingly weak and desperate.

The party said it understood the devastating consequences of illegal mining on local economies, the environment and public safety. However, the police’s operation must balance enforcement with respect for human rights and dignity.

“Denying access to basic necessities does not serve justice; instead, it risks lives and worsens the suffering of people already in vulnerable situations,” the EFF statement read.

SAPS SAYS POLICE WILL NOT RESCUE ZAMA ZAMAS

Meanwhile, South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has confirmed that no police officer will enter the abandoned and unused mine in Stilfontein to retrieve illegal miners.

Mathe said police were only focusing on surface-level monitoring as community members had taken it upon themselves to rescue the zama zamas, who are reportedly physically unwell.

Mathe said they had consulted with the mine owner and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and both had confirmed that it is unsafe to allow people to go down the shaft.

DO YOU AGREE WITH HERMAN MASHABA AND GAYTON MCKENZIE SENTIMENTS ABOUT ILLEGAL MINERS IN NORTH WEST?

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