Central SA
Police intensify crackdown on mining syndicates in North West, Free State─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 15:22 Mon, 04 Nov 2024
The police in the Free State and North West have intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal mining syndicates, arresting hundreds of illegal miners.
Over the weekend, 565 were apprehended in ongoing operations. Many were forced out of abandoned mineshafts after their food and water supplies were cut off when surrounding communities were prevented from helping them.
In North West, 225 alleged illegal miners were arrested at Orkney on Saturday (2/11). The clampdown formed part of Operation Vala Umgodi led by the police and SANDF soldiers, aimed at blocking supply routes to illegal mining sites, said National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
“This operation is ongoing, and the SAPS and SANDF are still monitoring these old abandoned mine shafts, as more illegal miners resurface. Operation Vala Umgodi has been successful nationwide since its launch in December 2023.
“To date, more than 13,691 suspects have been apprehended across seven hotspot provinces. Police also seized uncut diamonds worth R32 million and R5 million in cash.”
She said on Sunday (3/11), 340 illegal miners were detained, bringing the total number of arrests to 565. Acting National Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya praised the efforts on the ground, encouraging law enforcement to persist until order is restored.
In the Free State, arrests took place in Ficksburg. A raid on a farm where illegal miners were allegedly aided, led to the arrest of five suspects (between 24 and 33), said police spokesperson Thabo Covane.
The raid followed a tip-off that illegal immigrants based on the farm were involved in stock theft and the possession of unlicensed firearms. Police seized a 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number, four rounds of ammunition, and Maloti banknotes (Lesotho currency). A woman (44) was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm.
Food supplied destined for illegal miners intercepted by police at Beatrix mine shaft 4. Photo: SAPS
Police intercepted food supplies destined for illegal miners at Beatrix Mine Shaft 4, said Covane. Working alongside private security, they retrieved packages with instant porridge, peanuts, and salt from the mine’s ventilation shafts.
