South African government says it won't help thousands of illegal miners inside a closed mine

The transcript discusses the retrieval of a body from illegal mining activities in Still Fontaine, South Africa. The government is firm on curbing illegal mining by closing mine entrances. Miners, mostly from Zimbabwe and other African regions, are trapped and in need of essentials. The government continues its operation, Vala Gamba, to close mines and arrest illegal miners.

What illegal activities are some miners reportedly involved in?

When did the government's operation to close illegal mining entrances begin?