Timeline of the Stilfontein saga

• In December 2023, the government launches Operation Vala Mgodi to tackle illegal mining across the country,
• During the operation, police arrest several illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West, and cut off food supply to the miners,
• In August last year, there are reports that zama zamas at Buffelsfontein Gold Mine in Stilfontein have run out of food and have started resurfacing with police arresting them,
• By November, about 300 illegal miners had resurfaced and appeared in court.
• On November 21, the Pretoria high court hears an urgent application by mining-affected communities seeking to compel the government to provide humanitarian aid and initiate rescue operations,
• On November 25, the court dismisses the application,
• In December, the Pretoria high court grants lawyers for human rights an interim order that allows community members and charitable organisations to provide water and food to the zama zamas ,
• In the same month, the organisation approaches the apex court to appeal the Pretoria high court ruling,
• Last Friday, the Pretoria high court orders government to use mining rescue service to help illegal miners underground to resurface in an urgent application brought by Zinzi Tom, a relative of one of the trapped miners,
• Rescue operations start on Monday, January 13, and by Wednesday at 4pm, a total of 216 illegal miners have been rescued while 78 bodies were retrieved.

SowetanLIVE