POLOKWANE: The joint operations that were today conducted by the Police in Sekhukhune District, focussing on illegal mining, yielded positive results following the apprehension of two suspects and confiscation of mining equipment. The operations were conducted in the areas along the R37 road and other areas under Apel policing precinct.
Police pounced on the suspects who were illegally mining chrome on the mountain when they started to run towards the top of the mountain in large numbers. This after they saw the police approaching.
Two undocumented foreign nationals were arrested at the scene and will face additional charges of Contravention of the Immigration Act.
Police seized the following mining equipment during the operations:
- 2 × Excavators.
- 17 x Generators.
- 19 x Jack Hammers.
- 1 x 20 Litres of diesel.
- 1 x 20 liters of grease.
- 2 x Sports light.
× 1 x spade.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the members for these operations and warned all illegal miners to desist from engaging in these illegal activities as the operations to combat illegal mining will be intensified in all areas.
The suspects will appear before the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s court on Monday 17 October 2022
