Hundreds of illegal miners arrested after underground food and water supplies cut

At least 565 illegal gold miners, zama zamas have been arrested in the North West town of Orkney after the police choked off their food and water supplies, forcing them to the surface. The arrests were the latest made under Operation Vala Umgodi, which seeks to disrupt illegal mining at a time when companies such as Sibanye-Stillwater have recorded a spike in such activities, including direct attacks on mine operations and infrastructure against the backdrop of record gold prices. Phemelo speaks to Mining Expert, David van Wyk about the problem which appears to have reached crisis levels in the country.