The operation, dubbed ‘Vala Umgodi’ (Close the Hole) which has seen over a thousand zama zamas arrested, aims to disrupt the entire value chain of illegal mining – from ground-level operations to the kingpins funding and benefiting from these activities.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday (18/11), NatJOINTS Chairperson, Lt Gen. Tebello Mosikili, outlined a dual strategy. The operation targets both the basic criminality at the mine shafts and the upper echelons of the organised criminal network financing and perpetuating illegal mining activities.

“We are looking at this operation in two forms: addressing the immediate criminal activities at ground level while also targeting levels 4-5 of the organised criminal value chain,” Mosikili explained.

She highlighted a recent case in Parys where attachment preservation orders were successfully implemented. “We’ve started seizing assets involved in these operations. Our focus is not just on the people working underground but also on dismantling the financial backbone that allows illegal mining to thrive,” she added.

The Free State Hawks, in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), secured a forfeiture order against illegal mining syndicate member Progress Bayeni Mlambo (43). The order, granted by the Parys magistrate’s court, included gold valued at R4,578,200, cash amounting to R5,510,772, and a Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x4.

Hawks spokesperson Fikiswa Matoti explained that Mlambo, along with accomplices Leonard Robert Moyo and Kocanai Sithole, had been arrested in Welkom during a sting operation in November 2023. The suspects are charged with contravening the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005. While Mlambo and Moyo were released on bail, Sithole was denied bail. The case has been remanded to 27 January 2025 for a pre-trial conference.

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, addressed ongoing rescue efforts at the Stilfontein mine shaft, where a court recently mandated that the shaft be reopened to allow trapped illegal miners to exit safely.

Morweng emphasised the tactical approach is taken to ensure the operation does not exacerbate tensions or endanger law enforcement officers.

“We are committed to rescuing the zama zamas while also ensuring that those responsible for these illegal activities face justice. 

“People must not have selective amnesia. Not so long ago in Gauteng, they raped young girls shooting a music video [close to their tunnels]. In Kagisho they raped a father, a son and a mother. The father committed suicide because he was affected psychologically. The devastating Kanana incident, where 15 people were killed by zama zamas, left families and communities heartbroken,” he said.

The court order also restricted entry to non-emergency personnel and mandated the provision of essential supplies to miners who remained underground. The final ruling on the application is expected on Tuesday, 19 November.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg