Police and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) ministers are anticipated to go to North West the place over 4000 unlawful miners are reportedly trapped in Orkney and Stilfontein mine shafts.

SAPS and SANDF members intensified Operation Vala Umgodi by blocking all entry and exit factors in deserted mines in North West that have been used to ship meals, water and different requirements to the zama zamas. To date, over 1000 unlawful miners have been arrested.

In November 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed the SANDF to help the SAPS and improve public security following complaints about alleged unlawful miners in varied communities, particularly in Gauteng and North West.

SAPS AND SANDF TO VISIT NORTH WEST

North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone mentioned in step with safeguarding lives, the SAPS and SANDF have since allowed for water and meals to be delivered to these underground in order that they will safely resurface.

Mokgwabone mentioned police and different security officers will stay in place within the North West till all unlawful miners resurface and are arrested.

“The SAPS calls on these illegal miners to resurface so that they can get relevant help or aid, including any medical attention that may be required. We appeal to the community in the area to allow the police space to do their job. The SAPS will not allow criminality to thrive,” he mentioned.

Police ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi mentioned the go to will reinforce authorities’s dedication to deliver the continuing operation to a secure and lawful conclusion.

Mogotsi mentioned regardless of a number of calls, a big variety of unlawful miners are but to resurface.

“The visit seeks to interact and engage law enforcement agencies on the ground, engage the North West government and mining leadership and other relevant stakeholders, and to further assess the progress on the ground, challenges and work out appropriate responses,” Mogotsi defined.

RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE

Meanwhile, neighborhood members have determined to ship meals and water to the miners who’re reportedly not bodily effectively and dehydrated. They have additionally determined to rescue the unlawful miners with out the help of legislation enforcement businesses who’re on the scene.

This comes as minister within the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni additionally emphasised that government would not assist the zama zamas and referred to them as criminals who should be “persecuted”, not helped.

“You need us to ship assist to criminals? Honestly, we’re not sending assist to criminals. We’re going to smoke them out, they’ll come out. We’re not sending assist to criminals. Criminals are to not be helped, criminals are to be persecuted. 

“We didn’t send them there, and they didn’t go down there for the good benefit or good intentions for the republic. So, we can’t help them, those who want to help them must go and take the food down there. They will come out and we’ll arrest them,” Ntshavheni mentioned. 

Let us know by clicking on the remark tab under this text or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You also can comply with @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the most recent information.