Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

Illegal Mining Crackdown: Over 500 Arrests and Counting in Barberton

Loading player...
The clampdown on illegal mining in Barberton, Mpumalanga, is gaining serious momentum after hundreds of zama zamas were brought up from underground while, another 24 suspects have been arrested, pushing the total to over 500. Most of those arrested face charges including the contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, as well as other charges in relation to illegal mining and trespassing. Police are still verifying the exact numbers and working to bring more suspects to the surface. Operation Vala Umgodi continues with backup from mine security and the Department of Minerals and Energy. Phemelo speaks to mining expert David van Wyk and provincial safety spokesperson Moeti Mmusi about the impact and what’s next.
4 Aug 2025 5PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Parliament kicks off podcast regulation talks

South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies held a roundtable to discuss the future of podcasting. With smartphone use and internet access booming, the sector is rapidly growing - but regulation remains a question. Committee Chair Khusela Sangoni-Diko says the session was meant to spark dialogue between legislators,…
25 Mar 4PM 19 min

AfriForum demands accountability over Mbalula’s Dubai trip

Lobby group AfriForum says the NPA’s inaction on ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula’s R680 000 Dubai trip in 2016 is politically motivated and damages South Africa’s reputation. In a dossier released Wednesday, AfriForum accused Mbalula of fraud, money laundering, and reckless diplomacy that could upset trade with the US. “If these…
25 Mar 4PM 15 min

Ex-SAPS officer denies killing “Witness D”

Former Special Task Force officer Matipandile Sotheni has denied murdering Marius van der Merwe, known as “Witness D,” at his Brakpan home in December 2025. Appearing in Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, the 41-year-old faces multiple charges, including premeditated murder, conspiracy, attempted murder, and illegal possession of ammunition. Phemelo speaks…
25 Mar 4PM 6 min

Eastern Cape’s Botha Sigcau building gutted by fire

A major fire destroyed the 11-storey Botha Sigcau building in Mthatha on Tuesday night, home to multiple government offices. Firefighters contained the blaze before it reached nearby vehicles, but one emergency worker was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. The OR Tambo District Municipality declared the incident a local disaster, and investigators…
25 Mar 4PM 6 min

Gauteng Health chases R4.6bn in unpaid patient fees

The Gauteng Health Department is on a major debt recovery drive, trying to claw back a staggering R4.6 billion in unpaid patient fees. More than half is owed by self-paying patients, while medical schemes and government entities make up the rest. Despite appointing debt collectors last year, only a fraction…
24 Mar 4PM 27 min
All episodes