The Stilfontein Solidarity Committee made up of 12 civil society organisations and labour unions, wants the police (SAPS) to allow survivors pulled out underground Stilfontein last week, to be taken to hospital, for urgent treatment.
According to the Committee, only 25 of the 246 survivors were admitted to hospital despite pleas of doctors and healthcare workers to urgently admit the rest in order to save their lives.
“This weekend, 9 survivors were admitted with symptoms of refeeding syndrome.
People who have been subjected to starvation and dehydration for many months are in immediate danger of refeeding syndrome, which can be fatal.”
In addition to the refeeding syndrome, there is concern survivors might catch typhoid if they are not given antibiotics urgently.
This follows reports of deadly typhoid in the corpses underground Stilfontein.
The Committee also said miners survived by drinking water contaminated with arsenic and radioactive substances.
Police looking for TIGER
Police are chasing an alleged kingpin, who resurfaced from shaft 11, last week.
Extensive investigations and tracing operations are underway to find those officials who might have helped him escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police holding cells.
SAPS said in a statement yesterday, according to records, “TIGER was never booked into various other stations where some illegal miners are being kept. TIGER is also not admitted at a local hospital for further medical care.”
Tiger is an alleged kingpin and ringleader, and is a Lesotho national whose real name is James Neo Tshoaeli.
TIGER is fingered in several statements as one of the ring leaders who controlled operations underground.
He is also being accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced underground as being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assault and torture that is alleged to have taken place according to videos in police possession.
He is also suspected of hoarding food from other illegal miners.
The Stilfontein Solidarity Committee is made up of MACUA – Mining Affected Communities United in Action, SAFTU – South African Federation of Trade Unions, GIWUSA – General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, LHR – Lawyers for Human Rights, SAGRC – South African Green Revolutionary Council BMF –
Bench Marks Foundation, FHR – Foundation for Human Rights, CALS – Centre for Applied Legal Studies, AASA – ActionAid South Africa, LMN- London Mining Network, CER- Centre for Environmental Rights and LRC – Legal Resources Centre.
Picture: Crux