Stilfontein returns to normalcy following conclusion of a drawn-out operation to retrieve illegal miners
The bodies of 78 Zama Zama's were pulled from the Buffelsfontein gold mine this week during a government-led operation to shut down an elaborate illicit mining network.
The government-led operation to retrieve illegal miners from Stilfontein concluded. Picture: EWN
STILFONTEIN, North West - The community of Stilfontein has returned to normalcy after an extraordinary week which saw the conclusion of a drawn-out operation to retrieve illegal miners from a disused gold mine in the area.
The bodies of 78 zama zama's were pulled from the Buffelsfontein gold mine this week during a government-led operation to shut down an elaborate illicit mining network.
This was part of a broader plan under the banner of operation Vala Umgodi which saw a grand total of 1,900 illegal miners retrieved from underground in Stilfontein since August.
This includes the 240 people brought to surface this week.
Police in the North West remain on high alert, keeping watch over the problematic shaft 11 where the special operation was conducted.
Police said that they’re not leaving anything to chance.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said: "In Stilfontein in particular, we will continue until such a time that the DMRE [Department of Mineral Resources and Energy] and the mine owners has sealed and rehabilitated the shafts, we are avoiding a situation where we find ourselves in a situation where we find ourselves."
Some of the kingpins believed to have been calling the shots underground appeared among a group of 100 illegal miners in court on Friday.
They are charged with the possession of gold bearing material, trespassing and the contravention of the Immigration Act.
The group is set to return to the Stilfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday.