Third batch of zama zamas from Sheba mine set to appear in court

BARBERTON - The third and final batch of illegal miners rooted out of the Sheba Gold Mine in Barberton will appear in court on Thursday morning.

The 28 — plus, two others who surfaced late on Wednesday — bring the total number detained in the past week to over 550.

The two injured miners are still in hospital, but police said they would proceed with the case whether the men appeared in court or in absentia.

This final group comes after days of police operations under Vala Umgodi, which began with a massive sweep last Friday, that netted 496 illegal miners emerging from the vast and complex tunnel systems of the mine.

On Wednesday, two of the 24 miners who resurfaced on Monday were granted bail, both South Africans with valid IDs and private lawyers.

The rest of that group, mostly foreign nationals without passports, were remanded in custody, along with the majority of the 496 who appeared earlier this week.

The miners face charges including theft, trespassing and possession of gold-bearing equipment.

Provincial police spokesperson, Donald Mdhluli: "It will depend, these two, on their health status whether they will appear with the 28 if they are better then they will appear, if not then it will be their appearance in absentia."

Operation Vala Umgodi is ongoing, as police and mine management continue to tighten security on the mine and monitor the extensive network of illegal mining routes.