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A group of illegal miners, arrested after being rescued from disused mines at Stilfontein, North West, has appeared in court, receiving wholly suspended sentences.
The second batch of miners, known colloquially as “zama zamas,” faced sentencing for illicit mining and contravention of the Immigration Act at the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on December 31.
According to North West provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, “The accused include 10 Lesotho nationals, four Mozambican, and five Zimbabwean undocumented foreign nationals with ages between 20 and 43.”
The court handed down six months imprisonment or R12,000 fine to each of the accused for illegal mining. However, the sentences were wholly suspended for a period of five years, provided the miners are not convicted again for illegal mining during that time.
In addition to the suspended sentences, the miners were also sentenced to three months imprisonment or R6,000 fine, wholly suspended for five years, for contravention of South Africa’s Immigration Act.
Following the sentencing, the accused were deported to their countries of origin by the Department of Home Affairs on January 7, 2025.
Mokgwabone reported that five more illegal miners resurfaced at Margaret Shaft on Tuesday morning, bringing the total number of arrests to 1,567 between August 18, 2024, and January 7, 2025.
Acting provincial commissioner of police in North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the conviction and deportation, emphasizing that operation “Vala Umgodi” will continue to ensure those who commit crimes are held accountable. (IOL)
Online Reporter