Fourteen illegal miners, including a 14-year-old boy, were arrested on Sunday night after emerging from Shaft 10, connected to Shaft 11, in Stilfontein, North West.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe revealed that the miners surfaced under the cover of darkness, wrongly assuming that police had withdrawn from the area. However, some fled back underground when they noticed the continued police presence.
“This shows that the illegal miners are not trapped but are choosing to stay underground to avoid arrest,” said Mathe. “The two shafts are linked, and these individuals can come out on their own. They are refusing to resurface to continue their illegal mining activities.”
Mathe added that interviews with some of the miners revealed troubling conditions underground. Heavily armed men reportedly control the shafts, confiscating food and water supplies intended for the miners to sustain the illegal operation.
“They told us that the armed men are withholding food and water, keeping it for themselves to maintain the illegal mining activities,” said Mathe.
All 14 individuals arrested are Mozambican nationals and are now in SAPS detention cells.
“Our operations continue around the clock,” Mathe assured. “We are maintaining a static presence and ensuring these illegal activities are disrupted.”
Authorities remain vigilant as they address the illegal mining crisis, which poses significant safety and security risks in the region.