While charges against the suspects who were nabbed on Saturday (2/11) have been withdrawn, they will be detained under the Immigration Act, pending a deportation order. 

“The number of illegal miners who resurfaced yesterday rose from the initial 269 to 439. In total, the number of illegal miners who resurfaced between 18 October and 05 November 2004, rose to just above 1,000.

The suspects are still being processed accordingly,” said North West police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgoabone.

OFM News previously reported suspects were forced out of abandoned mineshafts after their food and water supplies had been cut off. 

Authorities had intercepted supplies and access was also restricted for those attempting to get supplies to the miners.

Meanwhile, Free State police Free State police arrested seven foreign nationals on Tuesday (5/11) during an operation to clamp down on cross-border activity linked to illicit mining near Ficksburg.

“A house where foreign nationals had been hiding was identified,” said Free State police spokesperson, Thabo Covane.

Seven illegal immigrants were arrested and police seized two illegal firearms with filed-off serial numbers, as well as 15 cell phones with incriminating messages and pictures.

9mm pistol found hidden inside the toilet cistern, photo: Supplied.

Charges against the suspects include possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and contravention of the Immigration Act.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh