69 undocumented children among Stilfontein miners arrested

More than 1,200 suspected illegal miners have reemerged from the abandoned mine after police restricted access to food and water as part of Operation Vala Umgodi.

A 14-year-old boy from Mozambique was among the last group of 14 suspected illegal miners to emerge from the abandoned shaft.

Many of the illegal miners, including undocumented children, are suspected to be nationals of neighboring Southern African Development Community countries such as Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

The detained children face charges under the Juvenile Justice Act.

“Based on the results of the court proceedings, the ministry is tasked with protecting the rights of children and placing all identified and legally declared undocumented children in shelters and providing their basic needs while they are still awaiting processing. Juvenile Justice Act requirements,” national spokesperson Bathembu Futshane explained.

Translators were brought in to overcome the language barrier between authorities and vulnerable minors.

“During this processing period, the ministry will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine whether children need care and protection as part of child protection services. The ministry will continue to provide the necessary support until the return process is concluded,” he said.

Futshane said that the ministry contacted the embassies of the relevant countries regarding the return process.

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