More than 100 illegal miners appear at Stilfontein Magistrates Court

JOHANNESBURG - More than 100 illegal miners appeared at the Stilfontein Magistrates Court on Friday morning, following their arrest at an abandoned gold mine in the area. 

The large group was arrested during a special operation to retrieve scores of zama zamas at the Buffelsfontein gold mine. 

During the three-day-long mission, more than 240 people resurfaced while close to 80 dead bodies were recovered. 

While the government-led operation ended on Thursday, Operation Vala Umgodi is set to continue running as law enforcement clamps down on illicit mining networks. 

Security has been tightened in and around the Stilfontein Magistrates Court as the illegal miners face the long arm of the law. 

They face a range of charges, including the possession of gold-bearing material, trespassing and the contravention of the Immigration Act. 

Since August, when Operation Vala Umgodi was intensified, more than 1,500 illegal miners have been arrested. 

More than 60% are Mozambican nationals and about 20% are Zimbabwean. 

A large portion are still in police custody while a handful have already been deported. 

During the operation, more than R50 million in cash was seized. 

READ MORE:

• Kingpins who commissioned mining op must be held accountable for Stilfontein crisis - police

• Stilfontein rescue mission winds down but Operation Vala Umgodi to continue

• SANCO battling to face relatives of illegal miners still hoping for their safe return