By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
18 March 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Petroleum Resources together and the Portfolio Committee on Police both welcomed the presentations they received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources on derelict and ownerless mines and from the Department of Police on Operation Vala Umgodi.
With Operation Vala Umgodi coming to an end in May 2025, the committees welcomed the news that work is underway to consider possibly establishing a dedicated police unit that will specialise in illegal mining on a permanent basis. There are 6100 derelict and ownerless mines in South Africa, which are all breeding grounds for illegal mining and related criminal activities.
The Co-Chairperson of the meeting, Mikateko Mahlaule said the Department of Police’s presentation on Operation Vala Umgodi focused on the police’s successful operation at the Stilfontein mine in North West, where illegal miners were rescued by community members and the Mine Rescue Services, at a cost of R3.5 million. Mahlaule said the committees were pleased to hear that the money incurred by the state in the rescue operation will be recovered from the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine.
“Most of the rescued and arrested illegal miners at the Stilfontein operation were illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries, including 93 dead bodies that were retrieved from underground. The committees encouraged ongoing communication and coordination between the two departments to avoid giving attention to illegal mining incidents when illegal miners are already deceased.
“The committees welcomed the detailed account of events at Stilfontein, saying that the meeting provided members of the public with an opportunity to learn more about the role played by the state,” he said.
Mahlaule said a follow-up joint meeting will be convened with the portfolio committees on Home Affairs, Defence, Health, and Justice and Constitutional Development.
Picture: The disused Stilfontein mine
The Guardian 