A total of 565 illegal miners have been arrested in Orkney in the North-West.

It follows the Operation Vala Umgodi task team along with SAPS, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF ) intensifying their operations to root out illegal miners from abandoned mining shafts.

Earlier this week, SAPS and members of the SANDF blocked communities in the vicinity of these abandoned mining shafts from delivering food parcels, water and necessities to illegal miners. 

The act of stamping the authority of the state forcibly led illegal miners to resurface. Majority of those arrested are South Africans, Mozambicans and Basotho nationals.

Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya commended teams on the ground, and encouraged them to not back down to ensure that the rule of law is restored.

Since Operation Vala Umgodi’s inception in December 2023, more than 13 691 suspects have been arrested in the seven provinces that are illegal mining hot spots.

Police have also seized R5-million in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million through Operation Vala Umgodi.