This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
TimesLIVE reports that more than 500 illegal miners have resurfaced from abandoned mine shafts in Orkney, North West, after an operation by police and members of the defence force to flush them out.
On Saturday, 225 illegal miners resurfaced and on Sunday morning another 340 returned to the surface, taking the total arrested to 565. Many of the miners were reported to be starving and dehydrated as community members were barred from sending essential supplies underground to them during Operation Vala Umgodi (close the pit). According to Brig Sabata Mokgwaabone, North West police spokesperson, the illegal miners were among what is believed to be hundreds if not thousands of illegal miners stuck underground with no food, water or other necessities. “The Vala Umgodi teams led by the SAPS and SANDF are blocking routes used to deliver food and necessities to these illegal miners,” Mokgwaabone advised. Acting police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya said the operation was yielding positive results across the country. “Since its inception in December 2023 to date, more than 13,691 suspects have been arrested in the seven provinces that are hotspots for illegal mining,” said Sibiya.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE
- Read too, Number of illegal miners who have resurfaced in Orkney rises to 565, at The Citizen
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page