South African police have announced that 565 illegal miners have been arrested after many were forced out of an abandoned mine in Orkney, North West Province, due to a lack of food and water. The miners, known locally as “zama zamas” (Zulu for “those who try”), were detained in an ongoing crackdown on illegal mining in the area.
The first group of 225 miners emerged on Saturday, reportedly due to starvation and dehydration after police blocked supply routes to the mine. An additional 340 miners surfaced on Sunday, bringing the total arrested so far to 565.
Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, confirmed that over 13,691 suspected illegal miners have been arrested across seven provinces since December 2023. Authorities have seized R5 million in cash and uncut diamonds valued at R32 million in recent operations.
Illegal miners, many from other countries, endure hazardous conditions in South Africa’s mineral-rich mines. Residents and mining companies have expressed frustration with the miners, who are viewed as a source of crime in affected communities.
Authorities said the operation remains active as more miners are expected to surface.