Over 34 000 people benefit from 6 000 abandoned mineshafts, says SAHRC

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Thursday said that over 34,000 people were benefitting from 6,000 abandoned mineshafts.

Turf wars between illegal miners are becoming increasingly common in areas like Gauteng’s far west rand and Carltonville on the border with the North West.

On Wednesday, six suspected illegal miners were found dead in an open field near the N1 Highway in Bosmont, Johannesburg.

Speaking on Radio702, mining analyst David van Wyk from the commission said while the large numbers of illegal miners did contribute to the economy, the government needed firstly to monitor the root cause of the abandoned mines.

“We should also note that abandoned mine sites should have been benched off according to the regulations of the national nuclear regulator. They should have been signposted and they should have been secured and we must also note that there is a R50 billion fine for mine closure and rehabilitation.”

-EWN

In other news – Trouble in paradise: Actress Natasha Thahane & Thembinkosi Lorch allegedly break up

One of our favourite Mzansi celebrity couples, Natasha Thahane, and her baby father Thembinkosi Lorch have allegedly broken up. It is rumored that Thembinkosi Lorch has deleted all of Natasha Thahane’s pictures on Instagram as well as unfollowed her.

The new parents are not new to making news surrounding their on-and-off relationship. Even in the beginning when they started dating, Learn More