By Anita Dangazele
More than 500 illegal miners were forced to come out of abandoned mine shafts in Orkney, North West, after police blocked locals from bring them food.
On Saturday night 225 illegal miners resurfaced and on Sunday morning another 340 returned to the surface, taking the total arrested to 565.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya confirmed the increase, saying, “From last night, an additional 340 illegal miners have resurfaced and have been placed under arrest. As of 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, at least 565 illegal miners have resurfaced.”
Sibiya said police are keeping a close watch on the situation.
“We are not backing down until all those illegal miners resurface and are arrested.”
He added that since Operation Vala Umgodi began in December 2023, over 13,691 suspects have been arrested across the seven provinces most affected by illegal mining. “We have seized R5 million in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million through Operation Vala Umgodi,” Sibiya said.
Police continue to monitor abandoned mines as more miners come out.
Most of those arrested are South Africans, Mozambicans, and Basotho nationals.
Pictured above: Illegal miners after resurfacing from underground mining shafts.
Source: SAPS
This article has been updated.
