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A team including the SAPS and the Gauteng EMS are pictured on the site of a search and rescue operation of illegal miners believed to be trapped at a disused mine shift in Roodepoort on 09 February 2025.
A Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor has raised concerns about the surge in illegal mining activities in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg.
At least three miners are believed to be trapped inside the disused Rand Lease mine in the area since the weekend.
DA Ward 70 Councillor in Johannesburg, Caleb Finn says the Department of Mineral Resources and mine owners need to act urgently to address this issue, as it invites criminal activities in the area.
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Public Safety MMC Dr. @MTshwaku has joined forces with Johannesburg EMS, SAPS Search & Rescue, and Gauteng EMS in a high-stakes search and rescue operation at a disused Rand Lease shaft in Roodepoort, where illegal miners (Zama Zamas) are trapped.
Lives are at… pic.twitter.com/THyRZhCj1J
— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) February 9, 2025
“We do find many of our local residents that are involved, but predominantly it seems to be foreign nationals. There needs to be greater responsibility taken by the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy. In conjunction with the mine owners, though many of these are abandoned mines, they need to go back and see where the mine owners have done the right thing in terms of sealing off shafts and closing the mine down in a proper manner” Finn explains.
VIDEO | Search and Rescue operations temporarily halted due to safety concerns
