South Africa's Bold Crackdown on Illegal Mining: No Support for Miners

South Africa's government has declared it will not assist 4,000 illegal miners trapped in a closed mine in North West province. The Vala Umgodi operation aims to cut off their supplies, forcing them to surface for arrest. Illegal mining persists, often involving syndicates and fostering crime.

South Africa's government has taken a firm stance against a group of 4,000 illegal miners located within a closed mine in the North West province. These miners find themselves deprived of essential supplies as part of a strategic government crackdown on unlawful mining activities.

Currently confined within the Stilfontein mineshaft, these miners are experiencing severe shortages of food, water, and basic necessities. This situation results from the police's Vala Umgodi, or 'Close the Hole,' operation, which strategically restricts supplies to compel miners to surface and face arrest.

Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni emphasized the government's position, stating that no aid would be extended to individuals engaged in criminal activities, reinforcing a tough stand on illegal mining operations connected to larger syndicates and often linked to increased crime near mining communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)