BLOEMFONTEIN - The North West community is in the grip of an illegal mining crisis.
Community members say harsh socio-economic conditions are pushing them into illegal mining.
WATCH | Illegal mining gains foothold in Bapong amid economic hardship
Homes and infrastructure have been damaged.
Since a police crackdown began on the 11th of this month, 21 suspected illegal miners have been arrested in Bapong.
Calls to formalise small-scale mining are growing louder in Bapong.