Monday, 20 January 2025: - The death toll of 78 miners and possibly more – including those not yet recovered – in the Stilfontein illegal mining disaster is both shocking and tragic. Since August 2024, approximately 2,000 illegal miners, or victims of recruitment, have been retrieved from various disused mining shafts in Stilfontein, North West Province. The government must launch a thorough investigation into how this situation could have been better managed and what measures can be implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Illegal mining in South Africa starkly highlights the inherent failures and crises of the capitalist system. The capitalist minerals mining regime, rooted in the ruthless exploitation of labour and natural resources, has left behind a legacy of disused mines and devastated communities. These abandoned sites stand as grim reminders of the greed of mining bosses who prioritised profit over sustainability and social well-being. They extracted wealth while leaving behind environmental degradation and economic despair.

The rise of illegal mining is deeply connected to the broader crises affecting Southern Africa. The capitalist system has failed to create work for all, resulting in widespread unemployment, poverty and inequality. It has also deepened the crisis of social reproduction. Many of the individuals drawn into illegal mining are undocumented migrants, often lacking work permits. Some are coerced by recruiters, while others, driven by desperation, come from countries such as Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

These miners, often referred to as “zama zamas”, operate in hazardous conditions. They risk their lives while fuelling an illicit economy that primarily benefits criminal networks. Among these networks are white-collar criminals who buy and sell illegally mined minerals for profit. There is also evidence of collusion by certain established mining houses, further entrenching this crisis.

Illegal mining does not occur in isolation. It is accompanied by other crimes, including the illegal trade in minerals, firearms and drugs, as well as human trafficking. Communities affected by illegal mining are often plagued by violence and corruption. While some members benefit financially, others endure heightened crime and insecurity. This division exacerbates social tensions and undermines collective efforts to address the root causes of the crisis: the exploitative capitalist system and its inherent failures.

The SACP has consistently stood with affected communities, advocating for unity, structural economic transformation and the eradication of these injustices. The SACP calls on the government to investigate not only the recent disaster but also the systemic issues that have allowed illegal mining to thrive in different regions across the country.

Addressing this crisis requires confronting the capitalist system and revising failed macroeconomic and sectoral policies. Revolutionary transformation is essential. This includes holding mining corporations accountable for their historical and ongoing exploitation, addressing environmental degradation and enforcing stringent regulations to combat illegal mining.

The SACP reaffirms its commitment to foster the widest possible working-class unity. Communities must be placed at the heart of sustainable development efforts, including the establishment of a thriving small-scale worker-owned co-operative mining sector that operates within a framework of environmental protection. Without addressing the structural causes of inequality and exploitation, the crisis will persist in various forms.