South Africa Strengthens Security Measures Against Illegal Miners

South Africa has increased its crackdown on illegal miners, with dozens of army and police searching shacks and seizing mining equipment in the Soul City settlement near Kagiso.

Over 70 people, mostly undocumented migrants, were held over two days in the area, near disused gold mines. Some were arrested for drug dealing and possession of illegal firearms.

President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the country is “tired of crime” and that over 250,000 arrests and 3,200 firearms were seized since authorities launched a crackdown on criminality in May.

Many informal miners, known as “zama zamas” in the Zulu language, operate in mineral-rich South Africa, with access to old mines often controlled by gangs that sometimes fight for territorial control.