The Most Brain-Dead Simple Way to Make Money... on Earth

First, he turned $50,000 into $5.3 million... now watch as this legendary trader reveals how you can use his easy "profit window trick" to pinpoint trades that deliver gains of 116%... 137%... and even 227%... In weeks (not years).

Why did 87 miners die trapped underground in South Africa as police tried to force their surrender?

GERALD IMRAY
January 16, 2025

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- South Africa's president is facing calls to order an inquiry into a police operation that was meant to combat illegal mining but ended up leaving 87 miners to die underground as authorities attempted to force them to surrender during a monthslong standoff.

The tragedy at the abandoned gold mine near the town of Stilfontein began to unfold in August, when police cut off food supplies for a period of time to the miners working illegally in the mine's tunnels.

The tactic was apparently meant to force them out but instead caused dozens to die of starvation or dehydration, according to groups representing the miners.

A court ordered a rescue operation that was launched on Monday and more than 240 survivors were hauled out this week in small groups in a metal cage, some of them badly emaciated after more than five months below the surface. All the survivors were arrested, police said.

Here's how the events unfolded:

Operation 'Close the Hole'

South African authorities have for years struggled to stop groups of miners from going into some of the gold-rich country's 6,000 abandoned or closed mines to search for leftover deposits. According to officials, South Africa lost more than $3 billion in gold to the illicit trade last year.

Police forces launched an operation -- dubbed "Close the Hole" -- in late 2023 to clamp down on illegal mining by surrounding several mines and cutting off supplies that were being sent down by other members of the groups on the surface, so the miners would come out on their own and be arrested.

The Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, the scene of the disaster, became a police target in August but it was only in November that the miners' situation drew the attention of rights groups. Activists warned that hundreds of miners were trapped up to 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) underground and desperately needed food, water and other supplies.

A Cabinet minister laughed when she was asked if the authorities would send supplies.

"We are not sending help to criminals," Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said, adding that "criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted."

Starvation as a weapon

Trade unions and rights groups say authorities used starvation as a weapon at Buffelsfontein. A group representing the miners said that not only did police cut off food for a time, they and the mine owners also dismantled a rope and pulley system that was used to get into the mine and send down supplies.

Police have denied any responsibility for the deaths and insisted the miners were not trapped but were able to escape through several shafts in the mine.

More than 1,500 did, police said, but others stayed put out of fear they would be arrested.

But rights groups say hundreds of miners were trapped inside the mine too far away from the shafts they could leave through or too weak to make the dangerous climb out.

Activists are saying authorities are also to blame for the long delay in launching a rescue operation, which only started on Monday after a court ordered the government to rescue the miners.

Who are the miners?

The miners, known as "zama zamas" -- "hustlers" or "chancers" in the Zulu language -- are usually armed and part of criminal syndicates, the government says.

They are often undocumented foreign nationals and authorities said that the vast majority who came out of the Buffelsfontein mine were from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho, and were in South Africa illegally.

Police said they seized gold, explosives, firearms and more than $2 million in cash from the miners and have defended their hard-line approach.

Appeals for the president to order an inquiry

South Africa's second biggest political party, which is part of a government coalition, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to order an inquiry into what happened at the Buffelsfontein mine.

The investigation should also determine whether police "are prepared to use vengeance and punishment as acceptable ways of fighting illegal mining," the Democratic Alliance party said.

Others have questioned if the extraordinarily harsh action by authorities was because most of the miners at Buffelsfontein were not South Africans, but undocumented migrants.

Ramaphosa has not commented on the disaster.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

Continue Reading...

Popular

Nvidia faces a reckoning as an upstart rival raises questions about Wall Street's darling

NEW YORK (AP) — The superstar run for Nvidia’s stock the last few years has been astonishing. So was its tumble Monday, which caused $595 billion in wealth to vanish. That’s about as much as PepsiCo, McDonalds, Starbucks and Target are worth, combined.

What to know about Trump's buyout proposal for federal employees

President Donald Trump's administration is offering to federal employees to quickly reduce the government workforce. They don't have a long time to decide: The deadline is Feb. 6.

Consistent Profits Every Day - Ad

LitePips EA delivers steady profits with no risky strategies like Grid, Arbitrage, Scalping or Hedge. Enjoy stable trading with fixed Stop Loss and Take Profit, over 62% WinRate, DrawDown below 32% and 100%+ annual returns. Not forget about tools like spread filters, slippage protection, and equity safeguards, it's the perfect choice for XAUUSD H1 traders.

Trump's Commerce Secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, vows to sell his business interests in 90 days

WASHINGTON (AP) — Billionaire financier Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Commerce Department, said Wednesday that he would sell all of his business holdings within 90 days.

22X Better Than Bitcoin... Without Crypto - Ad

For every $1,000 made in Bitcoin... you could have made as much as $22,000 with this strategy. legendary former hedge fund manager Larry Benedict calls it "Bitcoin Skimming." And get this... it's CRUSHING Bitcoin's returns. If you want to get in on the ground floor then watch this free interview NOW.

China's factory activity contracts in January for the first time in 4 months

HONG KONG (AP) — Manufacturing slowed in China in January for the first time in four months as workers began leaving assembly lines to travel to their hometowns for Lunar New Year holidays.

Edmunds' hybrid SUV test: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Hybrids are hot right now, and you have lots of choices if you’re considering a hybrid SUV. For years, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been the go-to model for hybrid SUV shoppers.

Crypto Stocks Are Heating Up - Ad

At the center of this transformation is a game-changing platform that's experiencing explosive growth with $41 million in revenue in just nine months. The stock has doubled in the last 45 days, but this is only the beginning.

6 Clean Energy Stocks Face Challenges, Opportunities Ahead Of Earnings

Analyst revises ratings/price forecast on clean energy stocks ahead of earnings release. Highlights key areas to watch for each company.

Did DeepSeek copy ChatGPT? Trump adviser thinks so

Did the upstart copy ChatGPT to make the artificial intelligence technology that this week?

My TOP Altcoin for Right Now Is... - Ad

Searching for the top investment opportunity in crypto? Look no further. Our $3 report gives you the full scoop. You'll get this exciting token's name, our recommended investment strategy, and growth projections. Time is of the essence with this one...

Stryker's Strategic Moves Impress Analysts, Spine Implant Sale and NARI Deal Set to Drive Future Growth

Wall Street analysts upgraded Stryker Corp (NYSE: SYK) after its Q4 report beat expectations, with strong sales and earnings growth projected for 2025.

Elon Musk Is 'Kind Of Glad' Many Didn't Pick Up A Tesla FSD Subscription: Here's Why

Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday that the company will likely have to update hardware for customers whose vehicles are equipped with an older version of the AI hardware called Hardware 3, for it to achieve fully unsupervised autonomous driving with full self-driving (FSD) driver assistance software.

Trump Could Make Surprising Tech Announcement Any Day - Ad

I want to show you a free demonstration. Of one of the most incredible technologies you've ever seen. You'll be getting a peek at the cutting edge... A decade from now, you'll remember where you were when you saw this video.

Moderna Stock Is Sliding Wednesday: Here's Why

Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) shares are trading lower Wednesday after Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock. Here's what you need to know.

Bill Ackman Questions Whether DeepSeek AI's Hedge Fund Affiliate Profited From Nvidia's Sell-Off: 'A Fortune Could Have Been Made'

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman questioned whether DeepSeek's hedge fund affiliate potentially profited from Monday's tech stock rout, which saw Nvidia Corp. shares plunge 17% following the Chinese artificial intelligence startup's emergence as a potential disruptor.

Live Demo: New Tech to Surpass AI? - Ad

I want to show you a free demonstration. Of one of the most incredible technologies you've ever seen. You'll be getting a peek at the cutting edge... A decade from now, you'll remember where you were when you saw this video.

F5 Sees Big Wins in Multi-Cloud, AI Security, and IT Refresh, Analysts Forecast More Upside

F5 Inc (NASDAQ: FFIV) reported strong Q1 results, beating revenue and EPS estimates. The stock gained as analysts raised price targets and expectations for further growth from IT budgets, data center refresh, and AI demand.

Alex's Mystery Guest Makes Shocking Trump Revelation - Ad

Over the next 4 years, Trump is about to create something extraordinary. A real chance for everyday Americans to build serious wealth... wealth that would dwarf what we saw in his first term. We're talking about a potential economic transformation that could mint 20 million new millionaires. Put everything else aside and watch this special event right now.

Gary Black Calls Tesla's Austin Robotaxi Launch By June 'Most Bullish' Takeaway, But Wants Answers On Auto Margins And Next-Gen EV

Tesla Inc. bull Gary Black highlighted the company's planned autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin as a significant development while expressing concerns about automotive margins and the forthcoming affordable electric vehicle's design.

US cyber agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administration

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s cybersecurity agency has played in helping states shore up the defenses of their voting systems, but its election mission appears uncertain amid sustained criticism from Republicans and key figures in the Trump administration.

Crypto Stocks Are Heating Up - Ad

At the center of this transformation is a game-changing platform that's experiencing explosive growth with $41 million in revenue in just nine months. The stock has doubled in the last 45 days, but this is only the beginning.

MrBeast And Group Of Investors, Including Roblox CEO, Lock In Over $20 Billion For TikTok Takeover

A group of American investors, including YouTube star MrBeast and Roblox CEO David Baszucki, has secured over $20 billion for a potential TikTok takeover, but ByteDance has yet to respond to their bid.

Spain's leader wants the EU to 'make social media great again.' Here's how

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister is launching a crusade against what he sees as the downsides of .

Why President Trump Is Vital to the 2025 AI Blueprint - Ad

Trump's return to the White House coincides with AI's -- and Nvidia's -- continued boom. That's why the President is crucial to Michael Robinson's 2025 AI Blueprint. Michael is a 40-year veteran of Silicon Valley has an AI Blueprint featuring three companies working with Nvidia who could be poised to benefit now that Trump is back in the White House.

Fartcoin Loses Shine Against SHIB, DOGE, Plunges 50% In 7 Days: Is This A Prime Buying Opportunity?

Fartcoin (CRYPTO: FARTCOIN) has dropped significantly from highs set one week ago, but traders on social media remain adamant about the meme coin’s future prospects.

Elon Musk's Tesla Records $600 Million In Paper Gains On Bitcoin In Q4 Thanks To New Accounting Rule

Electric vehicle behemoth Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) reported an unrealized gain of $600 million on its cryptocurrency holdings in the fourth quarter.

Three Companies Could Benefit Greatly From AI's Next Boom This Year - Ad

My 2025 AI Blueprint features three of what I call Nvidia's "Silent Partners." Some of the world's hottest companies are working with AI's undisputed leader, Nvidia. And I've identified three of them that appear to be well-positioned for the next AI boom in 2025. Everything you need to know about them in my 2025 AI Blueprint.

How DeepSeek's Breakthrough Is Changing The Landscape For Multi-Industrials

BofA Securities analyst Andrew Obin sees potential growth for multi-industrial stocks like Vertiv Holdings and Eaton Corporation amid the rise of more efficient AI technologies.

3 coup-hit West African nations formally leave ECOWAS in an unprecedented disintegration

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday, the culmination of a yearlong process during which the group tried to avert its unprecedented disintegration.

The Next Big Opportunity in Electric Vehicles - Ad

The electric revolution is hitting the water, and one company is surging ahead with unmatched efficiency and groundbreaking tech. Positioned in a market expected to triple by 2033, This stock is making waves among smart investors.

Everyone aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter is feared dead

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, officials said Thursday.

This Electric Boating Stock Has Potential To Soar - Ad

While competitors struggle, one company is leading the electric boating industry with scalable production, strategic partnerships, and a revolutionary powertrain. In a market set to move, this stock is quietly gaining momentum.

Meat and greet: Historic London market counting down the years

LONDON (AP) — Norman Gregory is an institution within an institution. He’s been working at the historic Smithfield wholesale meat market in central London since 1961, witnessing first hand the rapid transformation of the capital over the decades.

Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Yet Another Stock Market Crash, Pitches Bitcoin Investments -- Here's What The 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author Said

Renowned investor and author Robert Kiyosaki on Monday predicted a major stock market crash in February and advised investors to focus on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), gold, and silver.

Top-Secret Military Base in New Mexico Desert - Ad

Out in the New Mexico desert sits a top secret government facility... The scientists here are studying a new technology that will change the way wars are fought... Once you see this thing for yourself -- you'll know in your heart it could be coming for all of us. That's why I've taken steps to help protect myself and my family from what could be unleashed as early as April 11.

Elizabeth Warren To Elon Musk: Cut Unnecessary Federal Cannabis Enforcement And Save Billions

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a detailed letter to Elon Musk, chair of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with numerous suggestions for slashing federal spending.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright traderelite.club
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service