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South African Catholic Bishop Calls for Regulation of Mining after 78 Die in Mine Shafts

Bishop Victor Phalana of the Catholic Diocese of Klerksdorp in South Africa. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Klerksdorp

The Bishop of Klerksdorp Catholic Diocese in South Africa is calling for the regulation of informal mining activities in the country following the discovery of 78 bodies in a shaft in the country’s North West Province.

Speaking to the Africa Service of Vatican Radio on Monday, January 20, Bishop Victor Phalana who also witnessed the rescue of 250 other illegal miners from the disused mine in Silfontein in emphasized the need for structured governance to address the challenges associated with artisanal mining.

“The government must regulate artisan mining so that it does not become an illegal activity,” Bishop Phalana said and noted that many South Africans are willing to engage in small-scale mining legally but face obstacles in obtaining licenses.

All that South Africans want, he said, is for the government to give them licenses.
“I met some of them during our benchmarks conference. They said, ‘We've been applying and we are not getting any positive response’,” the Bishop said.

On Thursday, January 16, rescuers in South Africa ended the process of rescuing miners who had been hiding in the mine since last November for fear of being arrested.

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Since August, police surrounded the mine and blocked access to food and water in an attempt to force the miners to surrender for arrest, a strategy that the country’s labor union described as “the most severe state-sponsored massacre since apartheid ended.”

Residents and human rights groups have reportedly criticized South African authorities for blocking food and water supplies to the illegal miners. 

The Reuters report quoted South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as saying, "The Stilfontein mine is a crime scene where the offense of illegal mining is being committed. It is standard police practice everywhere to secure a crime scene and to block off escape routes that enable criminals to evade arrest."

In response to how the rescue process was being carried out, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of the country’s Mthatha Diocese, who also serves as the President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) urged the South African government to handle the illegal miners “in a way that respects their dignity”.

Describing the situation at the time as “complex” Bishop Sipuka said, “Complexity notwithstanding, the immediate moral question is how you deal with human beings created in the image of God in a way that respects their dignity.”

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Starting Monday, January 13, rescuers are said to have employed a cylindrical metal cage to retrieve 78 bodies and 250 survivors—some weak and disoriented—during a court-mandated operation at the mine.

The survivors, primarily from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, have been detained and face charges including illegal immigration, trespassing, illegal mining, and other related offenses.

In the January 20 interview, Bishop Phalana reflected on the recent rescue operation raising concerns about illegal miners, particularly those from other countries, and the challenges in identifying them.

The South African Bishop expressed relief at the success of the operation which he said “brings closure to families who have been living in anxiety,” and went on to highlight the difficulty in providing dignified burials for unknown miners.

“Because there are no records of who they are and where they come from, they will have to get a funeral,” the Bishop who has been at the helm of Klerksdorp Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in January 2015 said.

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However, he criticized the delay in the government’s response on the matter, stating, “Many lives were lost due to starvation and dehydration during the delay.”

Calling for a thorough investigation into the delays that contributed to the tragedy, Bishop Phalana expressed hope for better support for the families of deceased miners, many of whom are from neighboring countries.

The Bishop further criticized some mining companies for neglecting community welfare and environmental responsibilities.

“Some companies exploit and then abandon the mines without rehabilitating them or caring for the affected communities,” he said. He cited the disruption of family life in mining areas as a significant social impact, stating, “These mines are destroying the family fabric of our society.”

As the Bishop of Klerksdorp, an area deeply affected by the socio-economic impact of mining, he highlighted the broader issues facing the community, including child-headed households and undocumented children. 

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“Most of them do not know their fathers,” he said, describing the mines as contributors to the breakdown of family structures.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.