Andreas Tadysiak, the main coordinator of the International Miners' Coordination writes to MACUA (Mining Affected Communities United in Action):
- Details
- Category: Africa
- Created: Monday, 27 January 2025 22:26
- Hits: 2
Dear friends of MACUA, miners and their families, It is with great joy that we have learned that the rescue of the miners in Stilfontein has finally been fought for. Congratulations to all who contributed to this. At the same time, we are angry and shocked by the hundreds of uncounted dead and the terrible condition of those rescued. I am Andreas Tadysiak, a former underground coal miner with almost 40 years of professional experience and a trade union member.
We, the International Miners' Coordination, can only agree with the statement of Christopher Redledge MACUA when he says: ’We will not rest until those responsible in the state, government and police are held accountable. Deliberately letting people starve is murder. That is why we are also filing a murder charge. The government must also be held accountable for the months of misinformation and disinformation.’
The government must also provide for the surviving miners, their families, and the families of the deceased at its own expense, and it must immediately withdraw their criminalisation. We have reported on your struggle through our connections to miners around the world, and we have passed several protest resolutions to the government and the responsible state authorities. On 12 January 2025, a protest action was carried out in Berlin in front of the South African Embassy. Donations have been and continue to be collected in various cities in Germany.
How can we support you further?
What do you think of the idea of organising a joint action in South Africa and other countries to protest and reaffirm the murder charge and the demands of MACUA?
We will send you another letter in the next few days in which we present the International Miners‘ Coordination and its goals. We would be happy to work with you internationally, but also continentally in Africa.
With militant and solidary greetings
Andreas Tadysiak
Main Coordinator of the International Miners’ Coordination