JOHANNESBURG – Some community members in Stilfontein have blamed government inefficiency for a rise in illegal mining in the area.

It comes after black market trading hit the headlines again last week amid a standoff between illegal miners and law enforcement in parts of the North West.

The government recently intensified Operation Vala Umgodi to curb illegal mining but the move was strongly opposed by some in the society.

In Stats SA’s Q2 unemployment figures released in August, the North West reported a loss of 12,000 jobs, causing unemployment in the state to rise to 54%.

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Although the situation improved slightly in the third quarter, the North West is the only province in the country where there are more unemployed than employed people.

The province currently has the highest expanded unemployment rate at 51.1%.

A resident of Khuma in Stilfontein said illegal mining was a last resort to make ends meet for a community struggling to find employment.

TO READ: Deploying troops to crack down on illegal mining is effective, SANDF tells MPs

“If these people die in the well, who will put food for us? The government knows that the underground mineral resources in this mine do not belong to anyone. They should allow us to mine there so that we can have jobs because the government has failed to create jobs for us,” said the resident.

Volunteers are expected to continue rescue efforts for some illegal miners While he is believed to be looking for a way out, police are also preparing to continue Operation Vala Umgodi on Monday with a stalemate for which no one can find a solution.