Solidarity Statement with Stilfontein miners and communities, and a call for justice

23 January 2025

As the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC), a coalition made up of South African trade unions, grassroots, community-based and non-profit organisations, we express our unequivocal and full solidarity with the miners who were and are trapped, and being sacrificed in Stilfontein mine shafts. 

Furthermore, we condemn the actions of the South African government, we call for accountability to ensure that justice is served , and we call for deep systemic change to address the injustices that entrenches the most marginalised people in inequality.

Over the last three months we have watched in horror as miners have suffered a great tragedy and endured an act of violence, one that has been intentionally enacted upon them by leaders within the South African government. 

We have watched as weapons such as deprivation of water, food, and healthcare have been used to make an example of workers  and to force them into submission. We have also observed the blatant perpetuation of xenophobia/afrophobia, racism, and classism by the government; no doubt a tactic to justify the atrocious actions of its leaders. 

The history of violence enacted upon marginalised communities and specifically mining communities and miners in our country has not been and will never be forgotten. This violent history is seen throughout the history of our country, and as recently as 16 August 2012, where we saw the massacre of striking mineworkers in Marikana. 

Mineworkers in South Africa have played a central role in our fight for liberation and democracy. Without them, many basic human rights would not have been realised. Yet, we continue to witness the cruelty and brutality mineworkers and mining-affected communities face across the country, including in Welkom, Daggafontein, Stilfontein, and elsewhere, as they are condemned to an unjust fate.

Whilst we acknowledge the recent and ongoing efforts to rescue the miners, this as response to continued pressure from communities, organisations, and a high court order, there must be an intensity in efforts, and additional efforts must be made to ensure that all affected are treated with dignity and care. Having observed 30 years of so-called democracy in South Africa in 2024, we must ask ourselves if we are truly on the right path if compassion and basic care for human life is forgotten. 

The crisis in Stilfontein reflects broader failures in governance, where the prioritisation of profits over people continues to define South Africa’s extractive economy. Mining corporations and government officials alike must be held accountable, and urgent structural reforms are needed to prevent such massacres and disasters from happening again. 

Furthermore we call for:

• Intensified efforts to rescue and provide provisions to all individuals still trapped in the mineshafts 
• Immediate medical treatment by medical professionals for all individuals rescued 
• The investigation and prosecutions of all SAPS officials, government officials, big corporations, and others that have played a role in Operation Vala Umgodi and the cause of this state sanctioned massacre
• The development of clear policy measures – co-created with mineworkers and mining communities – to prevent future human rights violations in the mining sector.
• We also think it is an opportune time to move beyond talking about legalising artisanal miners in South Africa, and actually put legislation into practice, in line with other progressive African countries
• Reparations must be paid to the families of the miners who starved to death and provisions made for medical care for the survivors include mental health assistance and trauma counseling
• Those arrested must also have proper access to meet their families, community activists, civil society and members on the ground, to provide them with adequate support
• The urgent rehabilitation of land following mine closures
• The creation of climate jobs to ensure decent and safe employment. Work that further protects workers from health and safety hazards, and centers the needs and wellbeing of workers and frontline communities

We stand in solidarity with the miners, their families, and all workers who continue to endure exploitation and neglect under a system that devalues their labour and their lives. Justice for the miners in Stilfontein is justice for all workers in South Africa. The government must act with urgency, not only to ensure that all are rescued and receive medical care, but to end the systemic violence against working-class communities. The time for action is now. 

On behalf of the undersigned Climate Justice Coalition members:

• Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) Peace and Justice Commission 
• The Laudato Si’ Movement South Africa
• The Movement for Debt and Reparations 
• The Green Connection
• Project 90 by 2030
• Carolina Eco Green Economy
• Sukumani Environmental Justice 
• African Climate Alliance
• The Socialist Youth Movement
• 350Africa.org 
• Open Secrets
• Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute
• Waterberg Women Advocacy Organisation
• Fossil Free South Africa

ENDS

Image Credit: @visualintifada

For media enquiries, contact: 
Shaazia Ebrahim
Digital and Communications Specialist, Climate Justice Coalition
comms@climatejusticecoalition.org
+27833202255

About the Climate Justice Coalition: The Climate Justice Coalition is a coalition of South African trade unions, civil society, grassroots and community-based organisations working together on advancing a transformative climate justice agenda, which tackles the inequality, poverty and unemployment that pervades South Africa.