Mpumalanga NPA waiting for police docket before prosecuting 24 resurfaced illegal miners
The group is linked to Friday's mass arrest of almost 500 zama zamas at Sheba Mine.
ALSO READ:
- 4 of the nearly 500 illegal miners arrested at Mpumalanga gold mine are juveniles
- Mpumalanga police arrest 24 more illegal miners at Sheba Gold Mine
- 7 out of 500 illegal miners arrested in Mpumalanga granted bail of R2,000 each
The 24, believed to have gone deeper into the mine to hide during the initial raid, spent the entire weekend underground before emerging on Monday.
The mass police operation, part of the national 'Vala Umgodi' crackdown, has been described as one of the biggest illegal mining busts in recent years.
Police said the operation led to the seizure of gold bearing material, mining equipment and even a firearm.
The NPA said the 24 resurfaced miners will appear in court once the necessary paperwork is handed over by police.
"The case has been postponed to the 11th and 12th of August 2025 for verification of addresses and possible bail application. All other accused were remanded in custody," said spokesperson Monica Nyuswa.
Authorities expect more miners to come up from underground in the coming days, as the mine remains under strict police watch.
Illegal mining, or zama zama activity, has long been a problem at Sheba Mine, with security forces regularly finding foreign nationals and undocumented workers operating deep below ground.
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