Summary
South African authorities have cut off food and water to force up to 4,000 illegal miners, known as “zama zamas,” to surface from an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein.
The government, calling these miners “criminals,” has pledged not to assist them, with Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni warning, “We are going to smoke them out.”
Over 1,000 miners have resurfaced and been arrested under the “Vala Umgodi” operation.
Illegal mining, fueled by declining gold production, often involves violent crime and hazardous conditions in abandoned mines.
Not in favour of the individual suffering here, but illegal mining is about the worst thing that can happen anywhere.
Furthermore, in most jurisdictions where illegal mining happens, you get these gang run pyramid scheme shenanigans going on where the miners are very nearly enslaved to their handlers. Shutting them down can only be a good thing!
On the larger scale: Environment and safety regulations exist for a reason.
That said, the suckers in the mine starving themselves to avoid arrest might not see it that way.