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Jan 11, 2025 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
Lawyers for Human Rights is demanding that the government provide R7.8 million to fund the retrieval of illegal miners still trapped at Stilfontein’s Buffelsfontein Gold Mine in the North West. The matter awaits a Constitutional Court ruling to determine whether the responsibility lies with the state or the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine. On Thursday, Zinzi Tom, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, filed an urgent application in the Pretoria High Court.
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Dec 8, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
The North West province is losing more than R10 million annually to illegal gambling, a significant blow to the local economy. According to a report by the Financial Intelligence Center, the illegal gambling industry prevents the government from collecting taxes and levies, which could otherwise be used to create jobs and support socio-economic development in the region.
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Dec 5, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
Residents of Rustenburg in the North West are bracing themselves for water shedding, due to rapidly declining levels at Vaalkop Dam. Magalies Water has implemented water interruptions in areas around Rustenburg, Moses Kotane and Thabazimbi. This prompted the Rustenburg Local Municipality to impose restrictions and implement water shedding. According to Magalies Water, the dam levels are currently standing at 23 percent. This will also affect mining operations negatively.
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Nov 25, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
North West Community Safety and Transport MEC Wessels Morweng says they are yet to receive a report about the assessment that was conducted on Friday at shaft 11 in Stilfontein. Morweng accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Police Commissioner Patrick Asaneng briefed the media about the retrieval operation of over 1000 illegal miners believed to still be underground. According to Morweng two phases of the operation have been concluded and the report of the assessment will determine the third phase.
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Nov 20, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Angelinah Keneilwe |Thabang Morutloa |Itumeleng Kgajane
The task team led by North West Community Safety MEC Wessels Morweng has begun the first phase of the retrieval operation to bring suspected illegal miners to the surface in a Stilfontein mine. Illegal miners are refusing to exit the previously rehabilitated Shaft 11 at the mine. Yesterday, the mine rescue team assessed the shaft to see what equipment they needed before they started the retrieval operation.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe says operations will resume at the Lily Mine in Mpumalanga. The mine made headlines in 2016 when the crown pillar between the roof of underground levels three and four collapsed. Rescue operations were hampered by the difficulty of determining the location of trapped mine workers Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyirenda. The deceased’s families have since called for criminal investigations and for the remains of their loved ones to be recovered.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
Leader of residents that have volunteered to retrieve suspected illegal miners at shaft 11 in Stilfontein in the North West, says they have halted their operation. Thembile Botman says this is to allow mine rescue personnel to assess and clear the shaft. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu accompanied by Defence Deputy Minister Richard Hlophe visited the area last week. A task team led by Community Safety MEC Wessels Morweng was formed to retrieve the suspected illegal miners that are underground.
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Nov 15, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and his deputy Cassel Mathale have conducted an oversight inspection in Stilfontein near Klerksdorp in the North West. They are accompanied by the provincial Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and MEC for Community Safety and Transport management Wessels Morweng. This after about fifty residents decided to assist a number of illegal miners who are unable to surface due to poor health.
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Nov 15, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu accompanied by representatives from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are expected to visit the Stilfontein area in the North West later today. This after about fifty residents took it upon themselves to rescue hundreds of illegal miners who are still underground. The visit comes as residents in the area have raised concerns that the way the suspected illegal miners are treated infringes on their human rights.
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Oct 8, 2024 | 
sabcnews.com | Thabang Morutloa
The North West Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) has lambasted the Ditsobotla Local Municipality for failing to submit its statements for the 2022-2023 financial year. SCOPA committee summoned the municipality to come and account and the provincial Treasury and Co-operative Governance Department which have been supporting the troubled municipality. SCOPA chairperson Smuts Mathe has instructed the municipality to submit all outstanding reports.
