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Trapped miners highlight South Africa's persistent human rights concerns

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Trapped miners highlight South Africa's persistent human rights concerns
Courtesy photo

The recent incident of trapped illegal miners in South Africa serves as a stark reminder of the country's ongoing human rights violations. This tragic event is merely the tip of the iceberg, reflecting a broader pattern of disregard for human dignity and life towards immigrants and refugees in the nation.

South Africa, often touted as a democratic nation that respects human rights, has consistently failed to protect the rights of vulnerable populations, particularly African migrants and refugees.

The country's treatment of non-national Africans is marred by xenophobia, violence, and exploitation.

The country's history of xenophobic attacks, including those in 2008, 2015, and 2019, has resulted in deaths, injuries, and displacement of African migrants not forgetting the buried futures of the children they burnt alive.

The Marikana massacre in 2012, where police killed 34 striking miners, mostly from neighboring countries, in a brutal display of disregard to human life, another dark stain on South Africa's human rights record.

Refugees and asylum seekers also face significant struggles due to delays, corruption, and xenophobic attitudes that hinder access to basic services and documentation.

Nationals from countries like Zimbabwe, Congo, Mozambique and in some cases Nigeria have been examples of the groups that South Africa continues ill-treat.

Regarding the trapped miners, South African authorities have made disturbing comments. Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy says their country is not a playground for illegal activities.

"We cannot allow our country to be used as a playground for illegal activities."

Nathi Shabangu from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy spokesperson highlighted that the trapped knew the risk that come with illegal mining activities

"These individuals are illegal miners, and they know the risks involved."

Such statements demonstrate a troubling lack of empathy and accountability. Instead of addressing the root causes of illegal mining, authorities shift the blame onto vulnerable individuals.

The trapped miners' plight highlights specific concerns, including exploitation, racism, and xenophobia. Illegal mining operations thrive due to lax regulation and corruption, exploiting desperate individuals. African migrants are disproportionately affected, facing hostility and violence.

In my view South Africa must confront these systemic issues and uphold its constitutional commitments to human rights, dignity, and equality.

The government should look into creating employment for its people to avoid people going into illegal activities that land in situations such as this.

Labour protection should be strengthened and informal mining regulated. However the biggest thing that needs addressing is xenophobia through educating the people and put in measures to protect victims of human rights abuses.

The international community must also hold South Africa accountable for its human rights obligations.Nations can not live in isolation, Uganda houses many other nations but humans continue living as humans, so South Africa can do the same if she chooses to!

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