(Source : Reuters) South African police are engaged in a tense standoff with hundreds of illegal miners hiding in an abandoned gold mine in the North West province, as part of an ongoing operation to tackle the country’s longstanding illegal mining problem. The miners, known locally as “zama-zamas” (from the Zulu word meaning “those who take a chance”), have been underground for weeks despite efforts by authorities to drive them out.
On Thursday, authorities confirmed they had cut off food and water supplies to the miners in a bid to force them to surrender. More than 1,000 miners resurfaced earlier this week, but police believe that hundreds more remain trapped underground in the disused shaft.
The operation, which began weeks ago, is part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining that has plagued South Africa for decades, with criminal networks profiting from the illicit extraction of gold and other minerals. This unregulated activity costs the government and mining industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost revenue, including taxes, royalties, and sales.
On Thursday, a decomposed body was recovered from the mine shaft, with pathologists on the scene to examine the remains, according to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. The discovery highlights the dangerous conditions faced by the zama-zamas, who often work in perilous, makeshift environments without proper safety measures.
The government has made it clear that it will not provide assistance to the illegal miners. On Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated, “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out,” referring to the government’s intention to force the miners to surface.
As tensions rise, senior police and defense officials are expected to visit the site on Friday to reinforce the operation and ensure its safe and lawful resolution. The government has vowed to tackle illegal mining aggressively, despite its long-standing presence in rural communities, where zama-zamas often find work in abandoned mines that would otherwise remain dormant.
The operation is part of South Africa’s broader strategy to curb illegal mining, which not only causes economic losses but also fuels crime and environmental degradation in mining regions.
