Up to 200 zama zamas arrested weekly at Sheba mine, local police couldn't cope - Pan African Resources

The Money Show's Stephen Grootes is joined by Hethen Hira, head of Investor Relations and Communications at Pan African Resources.

More than 550 illegal miners have been arrested at Pan African Resources' Sheba mine in Mpumalanga since Friday (1 August).

Zama zamas are coming back to the surface as searches continue underground and police officers monitor entrances and tunnels into the mine's shafts. 

The gold producing company says between 150 and 200 illegal miners have been arrested on their sites around Barberton every week over the past year, totalling over 4,000 people.

RELATED: 

Sheba Gold Mine says it's blocked all known supply routes used by zama zamas

Two more illegal miners resurface from Sheba Gold Mine

Head of Investor Relations and Communications, Hethen Hira, explains the main reasons illegal mining is an ongoing issue at Sheba.

"It's because of the nature of the terrain and the legacy of illegal mining, with people being able to access the old working areas through mountainous terrain."

Hethen Hira, Head: Investor Relations & Communications - Pan African Resources

The arrests have also been ongoing, Hira says, but because of a lack of follow-up the zama zamas simply return once they've been released again by the police.

That's why national police have now been brought in through Operation Vala Umgodi, he goes on.

"The local police just could not cope. Once the men have been charged they're back at the site. They make camps underground and it was just getting untenable... so, in conjunction with the national police service we formed this initiative in the past week, and hopefully a more permanent solution is found."

Hethen Hira, Head: Investor Relations & Communications - Pan African Resources

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview