CAPE TOWN - As the death toll in Stilfontein in the North West mounts, so is the criticism.
Trade Union Federation COSATU says government should take the blame for the deaths of illegal miners.
No less than 78 corpses have been retrieved since Monday when a court-ordered rescue operation began.
READ: Two retrieved bodies in Stilfontein mine have been identified
According to the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, 216 miners have been rescued alive.
Another federation SAFTU says the miners were left to die in one of the most horrific displays of state willful negligence in recent history.
READ: Good Party condemns ongoing humanitarian crisis in Stilfontein
The DA has called for an independent inquiry.
Human Rights Lawyer, Richard Spoor had a discussion with eNCA on this topic.