South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu inspects a mineshaft in Stilfontein, as hundreds of illegal miners continue their standoff with authorities, and remain underground while anxious family members wait. Some condemn the approach of authorities who they believe have restricted water and food supplies in an effort to force the miners to surface. “It’s devastating to hear a minister say 'We will smoke them out' when people are down there because of poverty," says Meshack Mbangul, National co-ordinator of the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES