MBABANE – Reports have emerged that some individuals involved in unauthorised mining activities may still be hiding underground.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) launched a high-tactical operation targeting illegal mining activities in northern Hhohho late last month, deploying officers to known mining as part of efforts to curb criminal exploitation of mineral resources.
Information has emerged that some illegal miners, locally referred to as zama zamas, may have taken refuge in underground shafts at abandoned mining sites to evade arrest.
While police have not confirmed that anyone is currently underground, they say they are maintaining a vigilant presence around the affected areas and are prepared to arrest anyone who emerges.
Questions have been raised about how those believed to be remaining underground could be sustaining themselves, given the difficulty of accessing sufficient food and supplies in underground tunnels.
Residents living near a suspected illegal mining site have raised alarm over reports that some zama zamas are hiding underground following intensified operations in the area.
According to community members from homesteads situated close to the affected site, there are strong suspicions that several illegal miners did not resurface and may still be underground.
The residents said the information emerged after unusual movements and prolonged silence were noticed at the site where illegal mining activities were previously taking place.
The illegal miners are suspected to have gone into hiding to evade law enforcement authorities who have been conducting operations against illegal mining in the area. Concerned residents said they feared for the safety of the individuals underground, while also expressing frustration over the continued presence of illegal mining activities in their community.
Some residents called on the relevant authorities to urgently investigate the matter and carry out thorough inspections to establish whether anyone remains trapped or hiding underground.
They further urged government to strengthen monitoring in the area to prevent illegal mining, which they said poses serious safety and environmental risks.
Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni said police are monitoring the site and will arrest anyone who emerges.
“We are not going underground, but are maintaining a presence on the surface, and anyone who comes out will be arrested. Officers have been stationed at the area since Thursday,” said Mnguni.
The current operation follows earlier crackdowns by REPS on illegal mining activities that have cost the nation significant revenue due to lost minerals and related illicit trade. In recent weeks, police have increased patrols and tactical deployments to dissuade and disrupt illegal mining activities.
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Over 10 secret exits used by illegal miners
MBABANE – Information has emerged indicating that there are more than 10 secret exit points used by the illegal miners at the shafts.
This has created the impression that some may be able to leave the mine undetected. During a visit to the mine on Wednesday, it was observed that the illegal miners risk their lives by climbing steep hills using ropes and makeshift step ladders.
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Public decries police ‘camp-and-wait’ strategy at mines
MBABANE – The public believes the police should take measures to apprehend and bring criminals to justice than to merely camp at the entrance of the shafts.
There was concern that the police’s presence at the mine entrances, armed with guns, might lead some illegal miners to prefer death over facing justice.
Others argued that illegal miners should have been granted amnesty prior to the police’s intervention in the area. One former Member of Parliament (MP) in the Hhohho Region stated: “We have seen the police announcing official pardons before dealing with those who possess illegal guns in the country.
“We all know that illegal mining is a crime, but we cannot deny that many people rely on these activities for their livelihood. It would have been better if the police issued an official announcement calling on illegal miners to vacate the mines before they faced the consequences.”
The former legislator also suggested that another option could have been to give those caught at the mines an opportunity to tell on their colleagues, as they are familiar with the operations within the shafts.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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