Orkney – A police plan to stop food and drink supplies from going underground has yielded positive results with hundreds of hungry and thirsty illegal miners surfacing and being arrested in Orkney in the North West.
The “Vala Umgodi” operation task teams led by the SA Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) blocked routes used to deliver food and other necessities to the illegal miners, who spend weeks at a time under the ground.
From last night hundreds of illegal miners – better known as Zama Zamas – were arrested as soon as they resurfaced.
Police suspect that there are thousands of Zama Zama’s still underground.
“As of 12:00 (midday) on Sunday, (3 November 2024), at least 565 illegal miners have resurfaced,” said SAPS North West Spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwaabone.
The Acting SAPS National Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya has commended the teams on the ground and encouraged them not to back down and ensure that the rule of law is restored.
This is a developing story…
