An alleged standoff between officials and the miners has sparked fierce debate across the country this week.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ordered the Stilfontein mine where hundreds of illegal miners are reported to be trapped, be open to emergency services.
An alleged standoff between officials and the miners has sparked fierce debate across the country this week.
The miners are said to be without food or water.
It is believed that several may have died so far, with at least one body retrieved from the shaft so far.
This is a developing story
