"All 82 that have been arrested are facing illegal mining, trespassing and contravention of the immigration act charges," police Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in a statement. This situation reflects the complexities of illegal mining in South Africa, where individuals face severe legal repercussions amid dangerous working conditions.
Authorities had, for months, cut access to food and water from the surface to force the miners out, but a court order in November put an end to such restrictions. This highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by authorities in their attempts to manage illegal mining.
Minerals Minister Gwede Mantashe visited the site on Tuesday and said it is not the miners who profit from the illegal gold trade. "These foot soldiers are taking this gold to somebody. That somebody must take responsibility for that," he emphasized the need for accountability in the illegal gold trade chain.
Since operations to empty the mine began in August, 1,576 people have left the shaft, according to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy. The scale of illegal mining operations points to a crucial need for regulatory intervention and better livelihood alternatives.
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