South African police have expelled 540 illegal miners from an abandoned mine shaft in Orkney, arresting them after cutting off their access to food and water.
The police moved to block local communities from delivering supplies to the miners, a tactic aimed at pressuring them to emerge due to hunger and thirst.
The standoff began earlier this week, and by Saturday, 225 miners had surfaced. An additional 340 came up on Sunday. Despite these arrests, authorities believe that hundreds may still be in the mine.
The national police commissioner urged local forces to maintain a strong stance, stating that restoring law and order is a priority.
These illegal miners, known locally as “zama zamas” (Zulu for “those who try their luck”), work across South Africa’s mineral-rich regions.
Since December 2023, police have arrested over 13,690 suspected illegal miners in various provinces, seizing millions in cash, uncut diamonds, and other assets.
