National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says more than 500 mineworkers have been arrested to date and the number is expected to increase.
Police say the miners resurfaced due to starvation and dehydration after members of the police and the SANDF in the past week stopped communities from supplying them with food and water. “The Vala Umgodi task teams led by the SAPS and SANDF in the North West are intensifying their operations and ensuring that illegal mining operations are dealt a blow. As of last night, an additional 340 illegal miners have resurfaced and have been placed under arrest. The police in the North West have 565 miners in custody,” Mathe addedMeanwhile, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi says it is time that the state acts on this criminality.