Illegal miners, commonly known as zama zamas in South Africa, who were arrested after being rescued from disused mines in Stilfontein, North West, have appeared in court and received wholly suspended sentences.
As reported by <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/north-west/stilfontein-miners-deported-to-neighbouring-countries-after-getting-wholly-suspended-sentences-105bec57-ff0b-4bca-93a3-9e00bf5ec966">IOL</a>, the second group of illegal miners was sentenced at the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on December 31 for illicit mining and violating the Immigration Act.
According to North West provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the accused include 10 Lesotho nationals, four Mozambicans, and five Zimbabwean undocumented migrants, aged between 20 and 43.
Each of the accused was sentenced to six months in prison or a R12,000 fine for illegal mining. These sentences are suspended for five years, provided they are not convicted of illegal mining during this period.
Additionally, the miners were sentenced to three months in prison or a R6,000 fine for violating South Africa’s Immigration Act, with this sentence also suspended for five years on the condition of no further violations. Said Mokgwabone:
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Following the sentences, the accused were on January 7, 2025, deported to their countries of origin by the Department of Home Affairs. The accused were arrested at Margaret Shaft where they resurfaced in November 2024.
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Meanwhile, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, has welcomed the conviction and subsequent deportation of the zama zamas.
Asaneng reiterated that the ongoing “Vala Umgodi” operation will continue to ensure that those who commit crimes are held accountable in accordance with the law.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Illegal miners called "zama zamas" in South Africa were rescued from abandoned mines in Stilfontein, North West. They got suspended sentences in court for illegal mining and breaking immigration laws. Five of them, from Zimbabwe, were deported back to their country. The sentences are "stopped" for five years if they don't do more illegal mining. The police will keep working to catch people who break the rules. The Acting Police Commissioner in North West is glad these miners were caught and sent away. The operation to catch criminals will keep going.

Five "Zama Zamas" Deported To Zimbabwe After Getting Wholly Suspended Sentences

A teenager was crushed to death by a rock in a disused mine shaft at Sunace Mine in Umguza District, Matabeleland North, while engaging in illegal gold mining with four friends on Thursday.
Luckmore Sibanda (17) was killed by a large rock that fell on him while he was illegally digging for gold in a decades-old mine shaft.
His four colleagues, two of whom are also believed to be teenagers, escaped unhurt and later notified the authorities at Sunace Mine that Sibanda was trapped under a rock, although they were unsure if he was still alive.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) acting spokesperson in Bulawayo Province, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident. She said:
<blockquote>
Police confirm the sudden death of Luckmore Sibanda, national identity document not held, a male aged 17 years from Lukala Village under Chief Mtshane Khumalo.
On the afternoon of 12 December, the deceased’s father was approached by an adult male informing him that Luckmore Sibanda was trapped in a mine shaft.
When they went to check on him, it was discovered that the deceased’s body was trapped under a large rock. The team tried to retrieve the body but failed.
A police report was then made. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the mine was closed, and the deceased and his colleagues were engaged in illegal mining.
We encourage members of the public to desist from illegal mining as it endangers their lives.
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In an interview with the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/teen-illegal-miner-crushed-to-death-four-survive-mine-collapse/">Chronicle</a>, the late teenager’s father, Never Sibanda, said that the family is struggling to come to terms with the devastating possibility that his body may never be retrieved from the shaft. He said:
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Chances of his body being retrieved from the shaft are very slim. He was crushed by a large rock, which must be moved to retrieve his body, something we believe may not be possible.
His peers are still in school, but he chose to join his friends in gold mining. It hurts to lose our child at such a young age.
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Sunace Mine security supervisor Muzikababa Makwelo said that the chances of retrieving the body are less than two percent, adding it would be extremely risky to send a rescue team into the mine.
Makwelo said security teams frequently engage in running battles with illegal miners, who often carry dangerous weapons such as machetes and knives during their unsanctioned raids on the mine. He said:
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We have in the past tried to seal off the entrances of the disused shafts, but they always find a way in to dig for gold.
It’s a constant battle to keep them away from these old shafts, no matter how dangerous the conditions are.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A 17-year-old teenager named Luckmore Sibanda was crushed to death by a rock in a mine shaft while illegally mining for gold with his friends at Sunace Mine. His friends escaped and told the authorities about the accident. The police confirmed the incident. Luckmore's father is sad that his son's body may not be retrieved. The mine's security supervisor said it's dangerous to try to retrieve the body. Illegal mining is risky and can be very dangerous. It's important to stay away from closed mines to avoid accidents.

Teen Killed In Mine Shaft While Engaging In Illegal Mining

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has warned that Dalny Mine 2 Primary School in Sanyati District, Mashonaland West Province, is at risk of collapsing due to tunnels being dug by artisanal miners beneath the school infrastructure.
In a statement, ARTUZ warned that unless authorities intervene urgently, the fate of Dalny Mine 2 Primary School could mirror that of Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe District, Midlands Province. ARTUZ said:
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Illegal artisanal mining is leaving a trail of ecological and infrastructure destruction in the said community. We are worried that when schools open in January 2025, Dalny Primary will be no more.
Dalny 2 Primary has an enrollment of over 600 learners attended to by 22 Patriotic Teachers. If Dalny Primary School collapses when schools are open these lives can potentially be lost.
The closest school to Dalny Primary is Dalny 1 Primary which already accommodates 1,500 learners.
There is no room for the 600 learners from Dalny 2. If Dalny Mine 2 Primary School is allowed to collapse 600 learners will be out of school.
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The union said Zimbabwe already has a shortage of over 3000 schools, we cannot afford to lose a great school like Dalny Primary.
In 2023, Dalny 2 Primary School had a Grade 7 pass rate of 26.8%, which marginally improved to 26.9% in 2024 despite challenges in the education sector.
ARTUZ has appealed to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Environmental Management Agency, and other stakeholders to take action to save the school from potential collapse.
On March 16, 2023, a classroom block at Globe and Phoenix Primary School collapsed into an illegal mine shaft due to uncontrolled underground mining activities, injuring at least 14 pupils but fortunately resulting in no fatalities.
Since the collapse, the school has been declared too risky for lessons to continue, and students have been learning in makeshift tents at a nearby school.
The government has identified a new site for the school, but construction progress has been delayed due to the need for a geological survey to evaluate the impact of mining on the site.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Illegal miners are digging tunnels under a school in Zimbabwe, risking its collapse. The union warned that unless action is taken, the school may suffer the same fate as another school that collapsed. The school has over 600 students and losing it would mean 600 children out of school. The union asked for help from the police, education ministry, and others to save the school. Another school collapsed before, injuring students. The government is trying to move the school but is facing delays. It's important to protect schools from illegal mining to keep children safe and in school.

Dalny Mine 2 Primary School At Risk Of Collapse Due To Illegal Mining

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 3 300 military personnel to assist the country’s police in combating illegal mining in all provinces.
The joint operation, dubbed “Operation Prosper”, will run from 28 October 2023 until 28 April 2024.
According to a statement issued by the South African Presidency this Thursday, 09 November, nearly 500 million rands have been availed for the operation. Reads the statement:
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the employment of 3 300 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to prevent and combat crime, and maintain and preserve law and order, under Operation Prosper.
Members of the SANDF will, in cooperation with the SAPS, conduct an intensified anti-criminality operation against illegal mining across all provinces, from 28 October 2023 until 28 April 2024.
The expenditure expected to be incurred for this deployment amounts to R492 143 296.
The President set out the employment in a letter to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo.
</blockquote>
Illegal mining, which refers to mining activities that are carried out without the necessary licenses, permits, or compliance with regulations, often occurs in abandoned or disused mines, leading to safety hazards for the miners and environmental degradation.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South African Army, Police In Joint Operation To Combat Illegal Mining

Forty-one undocumented Zimbabweans were arrested in South Africa for illegal chrome mining.
In a statement, police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects will appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court this Thursday. Said Ledwaba:
<blockquote>
The suspects were apprehended during a joint intelligence operation conducted by the members of the Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, Provincial Organised Crime Unit together with the RR Undercover Security Company at Ga-Phasha village under Sefateng mine jurisdiction in Mecklenburg policing precinct at about 23:30.
Police received information about illegal mining activities taking place in the area and swiftly reacted. Upon arrival, police found the suspects busy mining a precious metal (chrome) at the mine without authorisation.
When the suspects saw police, they ran into the nearby bushes and others went inside the self-made tunnels to avoid being nabbed.
Police confiscated 12 generators and 10 jackhammers all valued at R170 000 as well as chrome ore worth R1 million from the suspects.
</blockquote>
Ledwaba said the suspects are all male and aged between 18 and 43. 41 are undocumented Zimbabweans, one is a Mozambican national and there is also a South African citizen.
Ledwaba vowed that South African police will stop at nothing in ensuring that illegal miners are arrested and prosecuted.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

41 Zimbabwean Border Jumpers Arrested In SA For Illegal Chrome Mining

Illegal gold miners are reportedly digging tunnels and pits close to three historical monuments in Globe and Phoenix, Kwekwe, leaving the properties facing possible collapse.
The properties affected are the Paper House, where Rhodesia founder Cecil John Rhodes reportedly once stayed, which are part of Globe and Phoenix Mine museums, which also include a former “royal palace” now being used as a guest house by Kwekwe Consolidated Gold Mines trading as Homestake Mining Company.
Both the Paper House and the former palace are about 200 metres from the Kwekwe central business district (CBD).
The illegal gold mining activities have destroyed roads, streetlights, and other infrastructure in the Globe and Phoenix suburb.
Kwekwe town clerk Lucia Mkandla confirmed the issue to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003215/gold-panners-besiege-kwekwe-monuments">NewsDay</a>. She said:
<blockquote>
Yes, we are aware of complaints of some gold panners who have encroached onto people’s homes and some infrastructure.
These are poachers who are just trying to extract the minerals illegally. We have since notified the police and they are handling the matter. Therefore, I can’t comment further on the matter.
</blockquote>
Earlier this year, authorities at Globe and Phoenix Primary School warned that the same gold panners were posing a danger to the institution.
One of the Globe and Phoenix residents, Rosemary Adolfo, wrote a letter to the Kwekwe City Council on 1 November 2022 pleading with the city fathers to intervene and curb illegal gold mining activities in the area. She wrote:
<blockquote>
With all due respect, I am writing to notify you about the worsening state of roads and trees and the absence of streetlights in Globe and Phoenix suburb.
I and fellow residents are facing significant difficulties and dangers with the parlous state of the roads, which have not been serviced in all my 20 years of residence, streetlights again which were last attended to more than 20 years ago and the ever-increasing menace of rampant illegal mining activities which are further worsening the condition of municipal infrastructure which are roads, water and sewage reticulation as their digging is wreaking havoc in Globe and Phoenix.
</blockquote>
Adolfo told NewsDay that the illegal gold miners were using explosives in the residential area, endangering their lives. She said:
<blockquote>
My family can’t even go out of the yard in a car, because they have dug right by the gate,.
At this rate, we may not even be able to walk out of the yard. We have done all we can to have the problem addressed, but nothing is materialising.
We have approached many officers who have told us that their hands are tied to deal with the matter.
</blockquote>
The high rate of unemployment in Zimbabwe has forced thousands of young people across the country to resort to illegal gold mining to eke out a living.

Gold Panners Wreak Havoc In Kwekwe Residential Suburb

At least three Zimbabweans are suspected to be part of 14 illegal miners that were shot dead in Benoni Ekurhuleni, about 20 km outside Johannesburg in South Africa in fights over gold. Six of the bodies were found lined up in a valley on Monday while the other 8 were found yesterday.
Johannesburg police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dhlamini said the recovered bodies were being kept at Springs Mortuary pending a postmortem and that they were yet to be identified.  She said that some of the bodied had gunshot wounds while others had sharp stab wounds. A miner, Mr Gordon Manzou, who spoke to The Chronicle said that he knew three of the victims who came from Kwekwe.
Manzou said that the killings had started last week. He said that the assailants claim to own the mine and demand that the miners pay R50 access fee. Another Zimbabwean Mr Endurance Kazembe told The Chronicle that his friends were ambushed while they mined.
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/zacc-boss-reassigned/">Chronicle</a>

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