RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - The Vala Umgodi task teams led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) in North West are intensifying their operations and ensuring that illegal mining activities and operations are dealt a blow.
This past weekend saw the arrest of 340 illegal miners and as of 12:00 on Sunday, 3 November, at least 565 mine workers resurfaced from their illegal underground activities.
The Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, 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. He spesifically made mention of the Vala Umgodi task teams in the province for stamping the authority of the state.
Currently, hundreds - if not thousands - of illegal miners are stuck underground with no food, water and necessities, because the Vala Umgodi teams led by the SAPS and SANDF are blocking routes used to deliver food and necessities to these illegal miners.
This operation is ongoing, and the SAPS and the SANDF are still monitoring old, abandoned mine shafts as more and more illegal miners resurface. Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya says Operation Vala Umgodi is yielding positive results across the country. “We are closely monitoring the situation that is unfolding in the North West province, we are not backing down until all illegal miners are arrested.
"Since its inception in December 2023 to date, more than 13 691 suspects have been arrested in the seven provinces that are hotspots for illegal mining. We have seized R5million in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million through Operation Vala Umgodi," said Lt Gen Sibiya.
The majority of those that have been arrested are inclusive of South Africans, Mozambicans, and Basotho nationals.
