JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – A South African court has ordered the government to halt its operation to seal off a disused gold mine where hundreds of illegal miners were trapped, ruling that the authorities must allow all miners to exit.

The decision comes after the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) accused the government of conducting a "humanitarian crisis" by cutting off water and food supplies to the miners trapped in the Stilfontein mine, located in the North West province. The government had launched a crackdown on illegal mining in the area, aiming to stem the flow of gold being smuggled out of the country.

The SAHRC estimated that up to 4,000 miners were trapped underground, facing dire conditions. One body has already been recovered from the mine since the operation began, sparking widespread condemnation.

The government had argued that the miners were criminals and that they had chosen to enter the dangerous mine. However, critics have pointed out that the government's failure to properly regulate the mining industry and address high unemployment rates has driven people to take such desperate measures.

"The government's treatment of the miners is a blatant violation of their human rights," said Yasmin Omar, a lawyer with the South African Council for the Constitution. "The government is persecuting these miners and completely trampling on their human rights."

The plight of the trapped miners has sparked widespread public outrage, with families and friends of the miners protesting outside the mine and demanding their release. Many of the miners are the sole breadwinners for their families and are seen as victims of a system that has failed to provide them with opportunities.

The government's decision to seal off the mine has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of the operation. The abandoned mines in South Africa are often contaminated with hazardous substances, and the government's actions could potentially lead to further environmental damage.

The court's ruling is a significant victory for human rights activists and the families of the trapped miners. However, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the court order and what measures will be taken to address the underlying issues that have led to the proliferation of illegal mining in South Africa.