Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says law enforcement will not back down from Operation Vala Mgodi currently taking place in Stillfontein in North West. Mchunu visited the disused mine in Stilfontein, where hundreds of starving and dehydrated zama zamas are refusing to resurface, fearing arrests.

ZAMA ZAMAS REFUSING TO RESURFACE

Mchunu said that a significant number of illegal miners remain underground, though there is a rope that has been anchored at various points and used to pull them up. "Currently, miners are refusing to resurface out of fear of arrest. Members of the South African Police Services and South African Defence Force are on the ground as Operation Vala Umgodi continues to be in full swing," he said. The minister added that illegal mining sites are inherently dangerous, posing risks of cave-ins, flooding and exposure to hazardous substances. "These operations strip the land bare, leading to severe environmental damage, including soil erosion, water pollution and deforestation. Illicit mining often intersects with organised crime, fuelling activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering," said Mchunu. He added: "Our officers on the front lines face immense challenges in combating illicit mining. They encounter hostile conditions and dangerous terrain and often face resistance from armed syndicates," he added.

WHERE IS GWEDE MANTASHE?

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said the situation is bad and serious and that they were expecting Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, yet he's been nowhere to be seen. "We are very disappointed because we were looking forward to seeing Minister Gwede Mantashe here so that he can come and tell us what his plan is because these mines were supposed to be closed when the owners left this place, but they didn't bother themselves," Amcu said. The union added that the community should not be blamed for wanting to help illegal miners because the government isn't bothered.