The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed profound dismay at the alarming discovery of children, some as young as 10, from neighbouring countries working underground at the Stilfontein mines.
The party’s statement on Thursday underscored the severity of this issue, labelling it not merely a case of illegal mining but a damning indictment of cross-border child trafficking and exploitation.
Recent reports suggest that out of more than 1 000 miners who have surfaced from the depths of the mines in recent weeks, at least 96 are undocumented minors believed to have been trafficked—some allegedly held underground against their will.
The EFF highlighted the dire conditions these children face, stressing that many remain trapped, “held hostage to the horrors of modern slavery.”
“The revelations from Stilfontein are shocking. Not only do they expose a vast underground operation, but they also indicate systemic failures that allow for the exploitation of our most vulnerable,” the EFF stated. It drew attention to harrowing reports of children being sexually violated and forced into dangerous labour, overseen by heavily armed criminal syndicates—a reality so severe that it demands urgent societal and governmental action.
In response to the crisis, the Department of Social Development has reported that information was received regarding the arrest of these undocumented minors, primarily from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries: Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
The department plans to place all identified and legally declared undocumented children in safe accommodation while ensuring their fundamental needs are met.
“The court will, in terms of the provisions of the Child Justice Act, formally charge the children while they are placed in the safety of our facilities,” the department explained, noting the necessity for cultural mediation to help address language barriers identified in the process.
Additionally, the department has coordinated with the embassies of Zimbabwe and Mozambique to facilitate the issuance of repatriation certificates, allowing for a smoother return process for the affected children. Health services are being provided to ensure their well-being during this challenging time.
“Comprehensive assessments will be conducted to ascertain if they are truly children in need of care and protection,” they added.
While engaging with SABC, Gugu Xaba, CEO of Save the Children South Africa, pointed out the broader implications of child trafficking that stretch beyond South Africa's borders. “If a child is trafficked, they could have been exploited by a syndicate or by individuals underground seeking cheap labour. These are serious issues that require collaboration between countries,” Xaba remarked.
The anguished testimonials of some of the children who escaped the underground hell reveal harrowing experiences of coercion and exploitation. Their cries for help underscore the immediate need for decisive action from authorities.
In a show of commitment, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu made his second visit to Stilfontein on Friday, where he met with provincial officials to assess the situation further.
He scrutinised underground footage to evaluate the adequacy of government efforts aimed at bringing illegal miners to the surface.
Saturday Star