The Sheba Gold Mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga, has seen an influx of illegal miners, leading to the arrest of 28 more individuals over the weekend. This brings the total number of apprehended suspects to a staggering 546 since the police operations began last week.
The crackdown, which intensified with the arrests of 494 illegal miners on Friday alone, reflects police efforts to confront the growing issue of illegal mining in the area. A further 24 people were added to this tally on Saturday. Authorities have indicated that they anticipate additional arrests in the coming days, as operations continue to flush out those still underground.
Provincial police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli confirmed to the media that the strategy employed includes cutting off food supplies to compel miners to resurface. This tactic aims to mitigate the dangers associated with illegal mining operations, which are often perilous and unregulated.
Those apprehended on Friday have already appeared in court, with proceedings at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court postponed until next Monday for further investigation. They face serious charges, including illegal mining and violations of the Immigration Act.
The illegal miners arrested more recently will also be processed and lined up for their court appearances. The current situation presents not only law enforcement challenges but also highlights the larger issues surrounding illegal mining