Law enforcement agencies are tightly monitoring the exits of a mine in North West, where approximately 4,500 illegal miners are currently trapped underground amidst an intensified operation known as Operation Vala Umngodi.
In an effort to curb illegal mining activities, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have set up checkpoints at various mine exit points.
Their goal is to manage the situation and process the illegal miners as they attempt to surface.
As part of their strategy, authorities have restricted access to essential supplies such as food and water, aiming to encourage the miners to come up from the depths of the mines.
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Since the beginning of this operation, over 1,000 illegal miners have emerged from the underground tunnels in Orkney. However, an estimated 4,500 miners are still believed to be trapped below.
Reports from eNCA reveal that many of those still underground are becoming increasingly weak and unwell, desperately seeking food and water as their conditions worsen. These miners are currently in negotiations with authorities to find a safe way to exit the mines.
Operation Vala Umngodi represents a significant escalation in the fight against illegal mining, which has become a serious and widespread problem in South Africa. This operation not only targets illegal mining syndicates but also aims to stabilize communities plagued by escalating crime, economic instability, and environmental degradation caused by these unlawful practices.
As concerns grow over the health risks faced by the miners still underground, authorities are working diligently to close off all potential escape routes and prevent any logistical support from reaching them.
Local leaders and community members are increasingly alarmed by the developing humanitarian crisis underground and the broader social and economic impacts of illegal mining activities in the region.
