The intensive operation by South African law enforcement at the Stilfontein shaft has now resulted in the capture of 1,004 illegal miners, predominantly foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, since efforts began on 18 October 2024.
Story Summary:
- Over 1,000 illegal miners have been detained in the Stilfontein shaft operation, with SAPS processing suspects under the Immigration Act.
- The Vala Umgodi task team has cut off supply routes to force illegal miners to emerge, leading to mass arrests.
- SAPS plans to continue monitoring high-risk areas, reinforcing its stance against illegal mining.
Stilfontein shaft operations: Here are the latest updates
Known as Operation Vala Umgodi, this joint initiative by SAPS and SANDF has focused on dismantling illicit mining networks in the North West, with hundreds of illegal miners surfacing due to blockades preventing supplies from reaching them underground.
On Tuesday, 55 of the suspects arrested on Saturday appeared in court, though charges were subsequently withdrawn, and they were detained by immigration officials pending deportation.
As arrests increase, 70 more suspects are expected to appear in court today. SAPS continues processing those detained, with law enforcement citing the Immigration Act of 2002 as grounds for detaining and deporting undocumented individuals.
Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, praised the ongoing effort, saying:
“We are not backing down until all those illegal miners resurface and are arrested.”
The strategy employed by the Vala Umgodi task team involves blocking off routes to abandoned shafts to cut off essential supplies, forcing illegal miners to surrender.
SAPS and SANDF officers have successfully cordoned off areas around these mining sites, preventing community members from delivering food and water.
This tactic has proven effective, with many illegal miners emerging due to a lack of sustenance.
Sibiya remarked on the impact of the operation, emphasising:
“This act of stamping the authority of the state eventually forced these illegal miners to resurface.”
According to Sibiya, Operation Vala Umgodi has yielded impressive results across seven illegal mining hotspots in South Africa.
Since its inception in December 2023, the operation has led to over 13,600 arrests and the confiscation of R5 million in cash and uncut diamonds valued at R32 million.
SAPS credits this success to robust cooperation between local and national law enforcement and consistent surveillance of mining areas prone to illegal operations.
