A further 340 illegal miners have resurfaced from an underground mine in Orkney in the North West, police said on Sunday.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said that as of 12pm on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at least 565 illegal miners have exited the mine and come up to the surface.
“The Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya has commended the teams on the ground and encouraged them not to back down and ensure that the rule of law is restored,” Mathe said.
On Saturday, 225 dehydrated illegal miners were arrested after emerging from underground.
Police said the miners resurfaced due to malnutrition and dehydration.
Mathe said these illegal miners are among hundreds, if not thousands, of those trapped below without food, water, or other requirements.
“This is because the Vala Umgodi teams led by the SAPS and SANDF are blocking routes used to deliver food and necessities to these illegal miners.”
She went on to say that that earlier this week, SAPS and members of the SANDF prevented communities in and around these abandoned mining shifts in Orkney from delivering food parcels, water, and other necessities to these illegal miners.
“We are closely monitoring the situation that is unfolding in the North West province, we are not backing down until all those illegal miners resurface and are arrested,” said National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.
IOL