Masemola to visit Sabie, Stilfontein as bodies of zama zamas pile up

Police retrieved three bodies and rescued eight zama zamas, and hundreds are believed to be underground in Sabie, Mpumalanga.

Dec 5, 2024 - 03:00

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Masemola to visit Sabie, Stilfontein as bodies of zama zamas pile up

National police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is expected to visit the disused mines Sabie in Mpumalanga and Stilfontein in North West to monitor ongoing Vala Umgodi operations as zama zamas continue to surface.

Masemola will lead the delegation of senior officers on Thursday, 5 December. The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have been conducting Operation Vala Umgodi to limit supplies in an attempt to force out the hundreds believed to be underground.

NUMBER OF BODIES OF ZAMA ZAMAS RETRIEVED

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the delegation will receive an update on ongoing operations and then provide an update to members of the media.

Mathe said in Sabie, three bodies were retrieved, and eight illegal miners were rescued from a hole.

“An ongoing rescue operation has had to be aborted and will resume in the morning. More than a hundred illegal miners are still underground,” Mathe said.

On the other hand, in Stilfontein, seven bodies have been retrieved thus far, and more than 1300 illegal miners have resurfaced. Hundreds of illegal miners are still underground.

zama zamas Sabie — SAPS and SANDF members monitoring operations at the disused mine in Stilfontein. Image: X/@RSA_CJS

EFF CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION IN STILFONTEIN

Last week, it was reported that at least 96 children from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Lesotho are among scores of undocumented zama zamas that surfaced in the abandoned mine in Stilfontein.

The minors were reportedly being held against their will and subjected to slavery.

In response, the Department of Social Development said it has coordinated with the embassies of Zimbabwe and Mozambique to facilitate the issuance of repatriation certificates, allowing for a smoother return process for the affected children, IOL reported.

The EFF said the presence of children from countries in Southern Africa solidifies the fact that this is not merely an issue of illegal mining but a devastating indictment of cross-border child trafficking and exploitation.

“Reports of children being sexually violated, forced into hazardous labour, and subjected to the control of heavily armed criminal syndicates are catastrophic and cannot be ignored,” the party said.

Further, the Red Berets called for the Department of Social Development to prioritise the welfare of the rescued children and ensure that they are safely reunited with their families or placed in protective care.

“South Africa cannot be a haven for human trafficking, and it is the government’s duty to safeguard the lives of the most vulnerable amongst us,” the party added.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE DEMANDS THAT ZAMA ZAMAS MAKE?

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