Ring leaders of illicit gold mining network in Stilfontein appear in court
They are among those arrested this week during a special government-led operation to shut down the underground operation at Bufflesfontein Gold Mine.
Picture: Pixabay
JOHANNESBURG - Some of the ringleaders of an illicit gold mining network in Stilfontein have appeared in court for the first time on Friday.
They were among those arrested this week during a special government-led operation to shut down the underground operation at the Bufflesfontein gold mine.
At the beginning of the week, the third and final phase of a mission to clamp down on illegal mining kicked off with experts sending a cage to force zama zamas out.
Over the past three days, more than 240 people resurfaced while close to 80 dead bodies were recovered at the disused shaft.
They face a range of charges including the possession of gold-bearing material, trespassing and contravention of the immigration act.
Speaking outside the Stilfontein Magistrates Court on Friday, national police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said that only a handful of those arrested this week were not in court.
"Twenty-one of the 246 will not be able to appear in court. They have been hospitalised, they are under police guard, they will appear at a time when their health status has improved."
Mathe said police were working around the clock to take down the kingpins.
"We do believe that some of the ring leaders that were controlling operations underground are among those that have appeared in court today, so we are continuing with Operation Vala Umgodi."