Stilfontein standoff: NGO's court bid to provide illegal miners with humanitarian aid dismissed

Loading player...
The High Court in Pretoria has dismissed an NGO's urgent application for the go-ahead to provide humanitarian aid to illegal miners who refuse to come out of an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein in the North West.The Society for Protection of Our Constitution approached the court with the application in which it also challenged the constitutionality of police action against illegal miners and wanted the court to compel police to rescue them. The court found that there was no evidence proving that the police hadn't responded to the situation in a measured and considerate manner. Judge Brenda Neukircher said the police acted within the bounds of the law. Phemelo speaks to legal expert Mpumelelo Zikalala, legal representative for The Society for the Protection of Our Constitution Yasmin Omar, MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management in the North West Wessels Morweng and Spokesperson for the Departement of Mineral Resources and Energy Makhosonke Buthelezi.
25 Nov 2024 6PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

SA’s Most Fabulous Food Experiences of 2025

From boundary-pushing restaurants to the young chefs shaping what we’ll be eating next, we take a delicious deep dive into Gauteng’s standout food moments of 2025. Phemelo is joined by chef and food anthropologist Dr Anna Trapido to unpack the trends, tastes and talent defining the year. Multi award-winning chef…
18 Dec 3PM 51 min

Profile Feature: Dr Lesley Mofokeng

Phemelo sits down with Dr Lesley Mofokeng, Associate Lecturer at Wits University, following the completion of his PhD in Journalism and Media Studies. Beyond the lecture halls, Mofokeng teaches the Practice and History of Journalism, Feature Writing, and supervises Honours and Masters research. In this intimate profile, we explore his…
18 Dec 3PM 47 min

National water tests show South African rivers are ‘open sewers’

New national water testing has painted a disturbing picture of South Africa’s water quality. A snap survey by the Water Community Action Network found E. coli in up to two-thirds of tested water sources – including household taps and jojo tanks. The findings point to failing sewerage and wastewater systems,…
17 Dec 3PM 20 min

US ‘refugee’ centre in SA: Illegal Kenyan workers ignored repeated visa rejections

Seven Kenyan nationals have been arrested in South Africa after allegedly working illegally at a centre linked to processing Afrikaner ‘refugees’ for the US government. Authorities say the group continued working despite multiple visa applications being rejected by Home Affairs. The case has raised questions about oversight, immigration enforcement and…
17 Dec 3PM 12 min

Damelin, City Varsity and ICESA face deregistration over non-compliance

Three of South Africa’s best-known private colleges could soon lose their registration. Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has issued a notice of intent to deregister Damelin, City Varsity and ICESA City Campus after what the department describes as years of regulatory non-compliance. The decision follows submissions from the institutions and,…
17 Dec 3PM 11 min