Operation Vala Umgodi; Navigating the tenuous line between law enforcement and humanitarianism
By Vusuthando Percyvil Dube In a government-led crackdown against illegal mining, Operation Vala Umgodi has brought both dramatic rescues and troubling consequences to the force. Launched on October 18, 2024, the operation, which employs over 3,000 soldiers from the South African Defense Force (SADF) in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), aims to eradicate the illicit mining operations, predominantly undertaken by the Zama Zama—or illegal miners—who exploit abandoned […]
