The site where the Zama Zamas were mining.

Following the recent arrest of 94 illegal miners in Skeerpoort during a multi-disciplinary police and South African Defense Force (SANDF) operation, Kormorant learned this week that all of the accused were released before they could appear in court.
The illegal miners, mostly undocumented foreign nationals from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, were arrested in Skeerpoort in Hartbeespoort on Thursday, 2 February following a huge police and SANDF blitz.
The police seized large quantities of gold-bearing material, 139 generators, grinders, jackhammers, chisels, pick-axes, shovels, cutting torches, gas bottles, electric mills, phendukas and explosives. The suspects were supposed to appear in court on Monday, 5 February but were released.
Following this news, Kormorant enquired about the reasons for the illegal miners’ release. The North West Police referred Kormorant to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPS) who in turn referred the enquiry back to the police, saying the docket was never submitted to the NPA. A further enquiry to the police has not been answered yet.
In the meantime, residents in Skeerpoort reported that equipment on the mining site was blown up, and a shed on a farm was raided where the miners allegedly processed the gold-bearing material. The police did not respond to enquiries by the time of going to press.