18 Dec Security Forces in South Africa target Illegal Mining Operations

In a recent article in Security & Fire Africa, we looked at illegal mining operations in South Africa, which had led to fatalities and a large number of casualties.

Now, security forces in South Africa are cracking down on Illegal Mining Operations near Kagiso, west of Johannesburg.

More than 70 people, the majority of which were undocumented immigrants were detained by South African Security Forces, with many being arrested for ties to other local crimes such as the distribution of drugs and illegal firearms.

The Johannesburg region has been rife with mining operations since the 1880s, with a gold rush leading to the birth of the city. However, these mining operations are now illegal, and many informal miners continue stripping for resources, living and working in unsafe conditions in clandestine pits.

Their activity is seen as hostile and criminal by locals, with many mines being locked down by local gangs – who control the miners and run further illegal operations.

In response to this, President Cyril Ramaphosa told a celebration with over 1,400 new police recruits, that the city of Johannesburg was tired of crime.

According to President Ramaphosa, over 250,000 arrests have been made with over 3,200 firearms seized since authorities launched the crackdown, which began in May.