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Clampdown on Illegal Mining: Over 200 Surface, Hundreds Possibly Trapped in Orkney

Published November 03, 2024
3 months ago

In an unprecedented turn of events, over 200 individuals engaged in illegal mining operations have resurfaced from the depths of the abandoned mines in Orkney, North West province, South Africa. This emergence is attributed to the growing success of Operation Vala Umgodi that has seen authorities cut off the supply of food, water, and other essentials to those working unlawfully underground.





Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national police spokesperson, highlighted the exceptional circumstances that led to the resurfacing of these miners. Starvation and dehydration emerged as key factors propelling them above ground. Many of these illegal miners came from surrounding communities, with South Africans, Mozambicans, and Basotho nationals among those arrested. The authorities anticipate that individuals from other nations might come forth as the operation continues.


The rigorous operation, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), has had a dual mission: first, to curb the hazardous practice of illegal mining, and second, to assert the state's authority over its resources and territories. It has involved the meticulous monitoring of old mine shafts and the blocking of routes used to aid miners with deliveries of necessities.


Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, the Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, commended the task teams while emphasizing the commitment to this law enforcement mission. More than 13,691 arrests have been made since December 2023, showcasing the breadth of this clandestine industry within seven provinces. The seizure of significant amounts of cash and uncut diamonds, worth millions, underscores the financial extent of the illegal mining operations.


Additionally, the crackdown has shed light on the complicity of local residents, with the arrest in September of a 65-year-old man from Rustenburg who provided illegal miners with access to a mine shaft through his own home. Such cases reflect a troubling reality of coercion and threats faced by community members at the hands of illegal mining syndicates.


The SAPS and SANDF's persistent efforts through Operation Vala Umgodi signal a determined approach to eradicate unlawful excavations that threaten the economic integrity of the mining sector and pose severe risks to the individuals involved. While the current focus remains on ensuring that those trapped underground safely resurface, the broader implications of this operation reverberate through the spheres of law enforcement, public safety, and national resource management.


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