Stilfontein mine: 47 illegal miners due in court
Police said the zama zamas emerged from the Margaret and Buffelstein shafts over the course of last week.
Police process illegal miners at a abandoned mine in Stilfontein after they resurfaced on 30 November 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Forty-seven illegal miners are expected to appear at the Stilfontein Magistrates Court in the North West on Monday.
Police said the zama zamas emerged from the Margaret and Buffelstein shaft last week.
Following the recent arrests, North West Police spokesperson Adele Myburgh said Operation Vala Umgodi will continue.
"Since Monday the 23rd of December, a total of 47 illegal miners were placed under arrest for illegal mining, trespassing, and contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002)," said Myburgh.
In a separate incident, 19 illegal miners will appear at the Barberton Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga on Monday.
READ: Protracted mission to bring Stilfontein illegal miners to the surface continues
The group was arrested last week during Operation Vala Umgodi where law enforcement also seized firearms and explosives.
Further police investigations revealed one of the suspects, aged 39, found in possession of a firearm is out on parole after his sentencing for murder.
"Intelligent driven operation conducted by members deployed for members of operation Vala Umgodi in Mpumalanga resulted in the arrest of nineteen suspects aged between 22 and 39 on Thursday 26 December 2024 in Barberton old mine. Three firearms were also confiscated during the operation," said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Donald Mdhluli."