From ARVs to tomato sauce – Here’s what zama zamas in Stilfontein are asking for
Zama zamas working underground at the abandoned mine in Stilfontein have been sending letters asking for various food items and supplies.
From beef and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to tobacco and mayonnaise, these are just a few of the items that illegal miners, commonly referred to as zama zamas, are demanding while underground at an abandoned mine in Stilfontein, North West, during the police’s Operation Vala Umgodi.
Initially, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) blocked entry and exit points to provide food, water, and other supplies to the illegal miners. As a result, over 1000 miners have resurfaced due to hunger and dehydration.
ZAMA ZAMAS IN STILFONTEIN REQUEST NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Initially, many believed the miners were trapped, but those who resurfaced said those who were still underground were weak, and some had already died.
As rescue operations continue, illegal miners attach notes on almost every dead body that is retrieved or given to those who resurface.
The illegal miners say they are running out of food and hundreds are critically ill.
Some of their demands include:
- Beef
- ARVs
- Tomato sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Pipe tobacco
- Bath and laundry soap
- A candle, snuff and sorghum beer to perform a ritual to cleanse the shaft
POLICE INTERCEPT ALCOHOL
Recently, deputy police commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said police intercepted alcohol that was being sent underground in Stilfontein.
“The community came and said we are prepared to assist, but what was strange with this assistance is that police intercepted alcohol among the food items. Alcohol, surely, cannot be given to a person you are saying is weak,” she said.
Mosikili said in the first week of operation vala umgodi police officers took their own money to buy water and energy drinks, among other things, to assist the weak zama zamas who were resurfacing.
HEALTH MINISTER WON’T BUDGE ON REQUEST FOR ARVs
Following the request for ARVs, Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said it is illegal for the illegal miners to be sent the medication.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Motsoaledi said a doctor must diagnose a patient first and then prescribe the ARVs, reiterating that the pills are “not like Panado” – an over-the-counter medication – and most importantly, they are not distributed like food, water and vitamins.
Motsoaledi said deputy police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili confirmed that the ARVs would be sent down to the zama zamas; however, he is unsure how she could do that.
“Who do you send ARVs to? As I’m saying, for you to get any medication, especially like ARVs, a doctor ought to have examined you and prescribed them. Under whose name will the ARVs come out, where will they come out, and what will they be treating? We don’t know anybody’s diagnosis,” Motsoaledi said.