Latest news with #ZamaZamas
eNCA
5 days ago
- eNCA
More arrests made in Barberton
BARBERTON - As groups of the illegal miners apprehended in Barberton appear in court, more continue to surface from Sheba mine. On Thursday evening, law enforcement indicated that about twenty more zama zamas are believed to be emerging to the surface. Mpumalanga's acting police commissioner, Zeph Mkhwanazi, has assured the public that the situation is 'under control' following a massive raid on illegal miners. Over 550 Zama Zamas have been arrested at the Sheba mine as part of Operation Vala uMgodi. Mkhwanazi says that police have sufficient capacity to house all the suspects. They have been split up and spread across various facilities. Mpumalanga community safety MEC, Jackie Macie, says they're working closely with intelligence agencies to track where the gold is taken once it has been mined by zama zamas.
eNCA
5 days ago
- eNCA
Prisons overcrowded after over 500 arrests
Barberton arrests BARBERTON- Operation Vala uMgodi led to the arrest of over 550 Zama Zamas at the Sheba mine in Mpumalanga. Last week over 400 illegal miners were arrested at Sheba Mine with 24 more surfacing on Monday. Consequently, holding cells are feeling the pressure.
eNCA
6 days ago
- eNCA
More zama zamas expected to appear in court
JOHANNESBURG - More illegal miners arrested at the Sheba mine in Mpumalanga are expected to appear in court on Thursday. Their arrests are part of Operation Vala uMgodi in Barberton. Over 550 Zama Zamas have been taken into custody since last Friday. Some remain behind bars, while others have been granted bail. Authorities also seized equipment used for illegal mining.
eNCA
6 days ago
- eNCA
NPA waiting for dockets to prosecute 24 Barberton zama zamas
BARBERTON - Hundreds of illegal miners arrested in Barberton are appearing in court. They were arrested as part of Operation Vala uMgodi in Barberton in Mpumalanga. Officials have been profiling their criminal histories, ages, and nationalities. The National Prosecuting Authority in Mpumalanga is also waiting on police dockets to bring charges against 24 miners who resurfaced on Friday. READ | 'I was in only in grade 8' -Former illegal speaks out as illegal mining deepens in In the meantime the drama at Sheba Mine continues. Two illegal miners surfaced overnight with one warning there are still more underground. Over 550 Zama Zamas have been taken into custody since Friday.
The South African
15-06-2025
- The South African
Illegal miner shot and arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has shot and arrested one illegal miner during Operation Vala Umgodi in Simile Township, Nkanini Section, Sabie. According to reports, members of the Combat Team in Sabie received a tip-off from a source about a group of Zama Zamas (foreign nationals) who were allegedly refining gold illegally and selling mercury at a specific address in the area. Police acted on the information and proceeded to the location. Upon arrival, the police ran into three suspects who, without hesitation, opened fire at the police and immediately fled the scene. The police shot back at the suspects, injuring one in the right thigh. The suspect was immediately arrested and admitted to Sabie Hospital under police guard and has since been discharged and placed in custody. The two other suspects managed to escape. The 30-year-old suspect, believed to be a Mozambican, faces charges of possession of gold-bearing material, possession of illicit mining equipment, attempted murder and being an illegal immigrant. The suspect is expected to appear before the Sabie Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrest and thanked the public for providing valuable information that led to the arrest of the suspect. 'Illegal mining continues to threaten our economy and public safety. We will ensure that those who engage in such activities face the full might of the law,' said Mkhwanazi. The police in Tsineng have arrested two suspects in connection with an alleged shooting incident between Ganap and Laxey Village on Saturday, 14 June 2025, claiming two lives. According to police, approximately six suspects allegedly attempted to break into a tuck shop in the area. However, a group of community members reportedly approached the suspects, prompting them to flee the scene. It is alleged that one of the suspects, trying to escape, stopped a vehicle near the scene and shot a 38-year-old driver and his passenger. The passenger died on the scene and the driver succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. An intensive search led to a residence in Mothibistad, where three men were arrested. Investigations are currently ongoing. 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.
