News24 reports that a group of 85 alleged illegal miners, commonly known as ’zama zamas’, abandoned their bail application at the Orkney Magistrate's Court, in North West, on Monday.

Their case was postponed to 1 December for investigation. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Henry Mamothame indicated: “Their status verification was completed and they are all in the country without legal documents. They will not be applying for bail and they have terminated the services of Legal Aid. They are now represented by a private attorney.” They are facing charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of gold, and theft and conspiracy to commit an offence. Eighty-seven zama zamas were arrested on 20 October, at Shaft 2 in Orkney, following an intelligence driven operation, by a multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement officers. The group allegedly opened fire on the team of officers when they arrived at the shaft. Six suspected illegal miners were gunned down and eight others were wounded when police returned fire. Of the eight suspects who were injured, six have been discharged from hospital and two are still under police guard in hospital.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molaole Montsho at IOL

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