The South African Police Service has confirmed that over 80 undocumented miners, primarily from Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Malawi, have already been deported.
The arrests were made as part of a wider crackdown on illegal mining activities across the country.
North West Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said approximately 1,450 illegal miners have been arrested since August 18, 2024, with most of them having been arrested between October and November 2024.
The miners from Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe appeared briefly in court on Wednesday on a charge of contravening the Immigration Act. They are part of the 153 illegal miners retrieved from the 180-meter mine shaft.
