Six suspected illegal miners known as zama zamas were killed and 35 arrested after an attack on security guards at an unnamed mine in North West.
Mining Weekly quoted police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone as saying that the illegal miners were using a ventilation shaft to enter and exit several shafts, and the mine management had resolved to close it to thwart further illegal mining.
This halted the supply of foodstuffs and water to the illegal underground miners.
"The arrests came after a group of approximately 300 illegal miners, commonly known as 'zama zamas', attacked and shot at the security officers and later the police in an attempt to forcefully provide foodstuffs to their fellow illegal miners who were underground," said Mokgwabone.
The security personnel retaliated resulting in the killing of the six alleged illegal miners.
The matter was reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Ellah Muchemwa: ADPA to launch Africa's first diamond mining standard next year
The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), which is based in Luanda, Angola, and represents the interests of mainly African diamond producers and those with the potential to produce diamonds, will next year launch the Sustainable Development...
04 november 2024
Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future
Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...
28 october 2024
Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki
The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...
14 october 2024
James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration
London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...
07 october 2024
Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products
Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...
30 september 2024
