Friday , 13 March 2026
Rietvallei locals welcome SANDF crackdown on illegal mining

Rietvallei locals welcome SANDF crackdown on illegal mining


Members of the SANDF continued with their operations at Rietvallei on the West Rand on Friday.

Several people have been arrested in connection with illegal mining and a temporary illegal processing plant was dismantled.
Equipment believed to be used by Zama Zamas have also been seized in the process.
They include welding machines, generators and shovels.
Some residents have welcomed the deployment of soldiers to their area saying this will heighten security.
They say they’ve lost faith in the local police officers whom they accuse of being in the payroll of illegal miners.
“I am happy the soldiers are here. Because in the past with the police it made no difference. When we rent out our yards to Zama Zamas for them to work here, the police would also come and collect bribes from them. We charge Zama Zamas R1000 per month for them to work from our yards. They do not stay here. They just come to work and go.”
 
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1112936-2/

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