26 more illegal miners resurfaced from Stilfontein mine this week - SAPS
Police have so far arrested a total of 26 so-called 'zama-zamas' who emerged following the continuous Vala Umgodi operations.
FILE: Three illegal miners were arrested after they emerged from shaft 10 at the old Buffelsfontein gold mine in the North West on 28 November 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - More than 20 illegal miners who'd been holed up underground at the infamous Stillfontein mines have resurfaced this week.
Police have so far arrested a total of 26 so-called "zama-zamas" who emerged following the continuous Vala Umgodi operations.
ALSO READ: MACUA heads to court to halt govt from violating rights of zama zamas in Stilfontein
Four of them resurfaced from the Magaret shaft and 22 at the Buffelsfontein shaft No. 10.
Police spokesperson, Adele Myburgh, said the group faced a range of charges, including trespassing and the possession of gold-bearing materials.
"Since Monday, the 23rd of December, until today [Thursday] at 11 o'clock, a total of 26 illegal miners were placed under arrest for illegal mining.
“Of the 26 illegal miners, they comprise of nine from Lesotho, four Zimbabweans, nine from Mozambique and four South Africans. All of them are still being processed and are expected to appear in the Stillfontein Magistrate Court on Friday, the 27th of December."