Barberton's legal miners fear for their safety
At the same time legal miners say they fear for their safety.
Since last Friday, more than 500 illegal miners have been arrested during Operation Vala uMgodi.
Residents say zama zama activity is nothing new - and for many, it's their only means of survival.
Police and mine owners have now stepped up security and restricted access.
But some in the community accuse mine management of turning a blind eye for years, and even enabling the illegal trade.
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A deeper dive into the world of illegal mining
BARBERTON, MP - Some illegal miners are refusing to resurface at the Sheba gold mine in Barberton. And this is delaying the return of some of the mine's operations back to normal, with mineworkers fearing for their safety. Over 500 zama-zamas have been arrested in the last week, as part of Operation Vala uMgodi. They were charged for contravention of South African immigration act and trespassing, while others faced charges for possession of gold bearing material. On Monday, the 4th of August, mine management told eNCA that there are no longer illegal miners underground. At the time, a large number of illegal miners, the majority of whom were undocumented foreign nationals, appeared in the Barberton Magistrate's court READ: Sheba Mine owners call for help as Zama-Zama activities continue One illegal miner told eNCA that some of his colleagues remain underground, and will only surface once they get paid what they are owed. Some in the community, say illegal mining has been allowed to thrive for years, and blame mine management, accusing it of enabling these activities. There is still no comprehensive government plan to deal with this problem, that attracts zama-zamas miners from around the SADC region. What is also worrying is the recruitment of children to work underground, six of whom have been discovered in Barberton. It's a problem that involves Police, Mineral Resources, Home Affairs and Social Development Services, requiring the cooperation of these government departments. Until then, Operation Vala uMgodi, in collaboration with Sheba Mine private security continue to monitor the situation at the mine.
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Forum for SA implicates high level politicians in illegal mining
JOHANNESBURG – The Forum for SA claims it has evidence that high level politicians are involved in illegal mining. Tebogo Mashilompane, Forum for SA leader, says his organisation has been investigating who's behind illegal mining in South Africa. He says their intelligence unit has found out that there are "political heavyweights" involved in illegal mining. READ: Illegal mining | Around 12,000 zama zamas active in SA Mashilompane says illegal mining kingpins are protected by the politicians. Forum for SA's allegations come after over 550 zama zamas were arrested during Operation Vala uMgodi at the Sheba mine in Mpumalanga. The South African Human Rights Commission has instituted an inquiry into illegal mining. This after the commission received a complaint over illegal operations in Stilfontein. WATCH | Impact of illegal mining on businesses In 2024, more than 1,000 illegal miners surfaced from the abandoned shafts in Stilfontein and over 80 bodies were retrieved. Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe estimates that this criminal activity, cost the South African economy R60 billion in 2024.
eNCA
2 days ago
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Barberton's legal miners fear for their safety
JOHANNESBURG - Some illegal miners are still refusing to surface at Sheba's gold mine in Barberton - stalling the return to normal operations. At the same time legal miners say they fear for their safety. Since last Friday, more than 500 illegal miners have been arrested during Operation Vala uMgodi. Residents say zama zama activity is nothing new - and for many, it's their only means of survival. Police and mine owners have now stepped up security and restricted access. But some in the community accuse mine management of turning a blind eye for years, and even enabling the illegal trade.
