Latest news with #ContraventionoftheImmigrationAct
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
‘We know it's wrong, but they're trying to make a living,' say families of arrested illegal miners
Their case was postponed. Angry Barberton community members have called for the release of the alleged illegal miners who were arrested at the Sheba Mine shaft on Friday. At least 1 000 alleged illegal miners were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi, which disrupted the illegal mining operations, resulting in some of them resurfacing. 'It has been discovered through the operation that most of the miners, if not all, are foreign nationals without valid documentation to be in the country,' said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli. 'It was also discovered that some of these miners could be underage, hence police are working in conjunction with officials from the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Minerals and Energy, the National Prosecution Authority, as well as other law enforcement agencies.' ALSO READ: Nearly 1 000 undocumented illegal miners retrieved from MP mine On Monday, 494 of the alleged illegal miners appeared in the Baberton Magistrate's Court facing a charge of Contravention of the Immigration Act and trespassing. The case was postponed to Thursday, 7 August, for them to get legal representation. Illegal miners' families: 'Release them' Families of the suspects and some community members gathered outside the court in support of the illegal miners, calling for their release. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, the community members called for free bail, saying they could not afford to bail their loved ones. ALSO READ: PICS: Over 100 suspects arrested in illegal mining crackdown in North West and Limpopo 'I am heartbroken. These fathers are trying to make a living for themselves; they have IDs and passports, but they don't get employed. Now they're trying to make a living. The scourge of house breaking, rapes and murders is now low because of these men who are trying to make a living for themselves,' said one of the women who spoke to the news channel. 'How will they survive if they are getting arrested? We request free bail because these men do not have money. They went in yesterday and got arrested. They don't have money. It means once they are released, they must start from scratch. Can they release them on free bail because we do not have money to pay their bail.' Another one said, though they knew illegal mining was wrong, the men did not have many options and needed to make a living. ALSO READ: 'The smell of death was everywhere' – Stilfontein mine volunteers recount rescue mission 'They arrested our brothers and husbands. As the community of Bartberton, we are struggling with employment because they tell us we have criminal records because of the issue of trespassing. We are struggling and unemployment. We cannot rely on the R350 and R500 grants. They are trying to make a living. We know it's wrong, but today we are requesting free bail because we do not have money to bail them out.' Barberton crime Mdhluli contradicted the community member who claimed crime was down in the community due to these men making a living through illegal mining. He said the crime was high in the area due to the illegal miners. 'There is a mine that is operating legally, and on the side, there are others conducting illegal mining. Barberton has been a lot of challenges in terms of criminality, with illicit mining, firearms coming on board. And these firearms are the ones that are used to take the lives of people around the area. So we need to deal with crime without fear or favour.' He said there were more miners underground who refused to resurface. NOW READ : Illegal mining underneath Snake Road
eNCA
02-08-2025
- eNCA
NUM accuses mine owners of ignoring zama-zamas
BARBERTON - Mineworkers union, NUM, is accusing mine owners of turning a blind eye to illegal miners in Barberton. Zama zamas infiltrated the functioning Sheba Mine to extract high-grade gold. Legal workers, who operate the same mine, say zama zamas often rob them underground. Now, over a-thousand of them resurfaced and were arrested after food supplies were cut off. Authorities say the miners are nationals without valid documentation to be in the country. Some appear to be underage. The suspects could possibly be charged for Contravention of the Immigration Act and are expected to appear in court soon.
The South African
08-06-2025
- The South African
Police nab foreign national found with drugs worth R100 000
The Limpopo Provincial Flying Squad has made a breakthrough after arresting a foreign national found with drugs in Mokopane town. The 47-year-old suspect was found with crystal methamphetamine valued at approximately R100 000. The Flying Squad received a tip-off about suspicious drug-dealing activities going on in the area. Upon arrival, the police found the suspect in possession of crystal methamphetamine and arrested him. Additionally, the suspect was found with no valid South African Identity Documentation (ID). The suspect is expected to appear in court before the Mokopane Magistrate's Court on Monday, 9 June 2025, over charges of possession and dealing in drugs and Contravention of the Immigration Act. Three suspects have been arrested after being found in possession of drugs on Friday, 6 June 2025. The suspects were apprehended in different locations. The first suspect, a 21-year-old male, was arrested at his residence in Mosesetjane Village, after police found 155 sachets of Nyaope, 57 sachets of Cat, 31 sachets of Crystal Meth and an undisclosed amount of cash in his bedroom. A 26-year-old male suspect was also arrested at his residence in Danisani Sandsloot Village. He was found with 46 sachets of Crystal Meth and 13 sachets of Nyaope. In Masodi Village, police apprehended a 39-year-old female suspect who was found 5 sachets of Nyaope, 2 sachets of Crystal Meth and an undisclosed amount of cash. All three suspects were detained at Mahwelereng SAPS and are facing charges related to the Contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and Possession of Prohibited Drugs. They are expected to appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate's Court on 9 June 2025. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
04-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
More than 40 illegal miners arrested in separate incidents in the North West
JOHANNESBURG - More than 40 zama zamas have been arrested in separate incidents in the North West this week, as police in the province continue with Operation Vala Umgodi to clamp down on illegal mining. The group, aged between 18 and 47, face various charges, including the Contravention of the Immigration Act. North West police spokesperson Adele Myburgh said the latest arrests were made in Sun City, Mogwase and Tlhabane. 'All mentioned suspects will appear in the Bafokeng and Mankwe Magistrates' Courts, respectively. The suspects are from different countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Nigeria and Lesotho.' The North West is among seven provinces impacted by illegal mining, with a massive operation leading to the arrest of hundreds of illegal miners in Stilfontein earlier this year. Myburgh said police are worried about the involvement of foreign nationals in the commission of crime, threatening the country's national security. 'The involvement of foreign nationals in the commission of crime, whether aided or abetted by South Africans, poses a serious threat to national security and as such requires a collaborative effort by civil society and various government's security and social departments such as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Border Management Authority, Customs/ South African Revenue Services (SARS), Home Affairs Immigration, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).' ALSO READ: Mantashe admits he has no sympathy for illegal miners who get trapped underground
