By OBAKENG MAJE
6 November 2024- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi commended the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), in their unwavering commitment to root out illegal mining activities in the province and in particular, Klerksdorp. Mokgosi said to date, over 1000 illegal miners affectionately known as Zama-Zamas, have been arrested through Operation Vala Umgodi.
“This ongoing operation forms part of the Safer Festive strategy, which will run for 123 days until the end of January 2025.
“This is an all-inclusive crime fighting initiative, which is centred on tackling illicit mining, murder, attempted murder, rape, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), drug offences, illegal dealing in liquor and burglaries, as well as traffic violations and illegal immigration among others,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “A number of illegal miners who resurfaced yesterday, rose from the initial 269 to 439. In total, the number of illegal miners who resurfaced between 18 October and 5 November 2004, rose to just above 1000.
“The suspects are still being processed accordingly. The 55 suspects arrested on 2 November 2024, appeared in court on 5 November 2024, however, charges against them were withdrawn.”
Mokgwabone further said they were nevertheless detained by Immigration Officials in terms of Section 34 of the Immigration Act, 2002, pending deportation order.
The Guardian 