SEVEN SUSPECTED ILLEGAL MINERS ARRESTED AND MINING EQUIPMENT CONFISCATED DURING ONGOING OPERATIONS

SEVEN SUSPECTED ILLEGAL MINERS ARRESTED AND MINING EQUIPMENT CONFISCATED DURING ONGOING OPERATIONS

POLOKWANE: Seven suspected illegal miners aged between 18 and 36 were arrested in Driekop policing area under Sekhukhune District during the ongoing illegal mining operations that were conducted in the early hours of Saturday 14 January 2023.

The suspects are one South African, three Mozambicans and three Zimbabweans and were apprehended while illegally mining chrome at Mooihoek mountain after police pounced on them.

The Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team and Driekop SAPS Crime Prevention members managed to confiscate the following mining equipment:

1. 17 Generators.
2. 7 Jackhammers.
3. 3 Electric cables.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the members for their concerted efforts in dealing with illegal mining.

“The fight against illegal mining activities will continue to be intensified across the Province, particularly in the Sekhukhune and Mopani Districts. We warn communities to desist from engaging in these illegal activities as the Police will relentlessly arrest all perpetrators and seize their equipment,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.

The arrested suspects will appear in Mecklenburg magistrate court on Monday 16 January 2023, facing charges related to illegal mining. Additional charges under the Immigration Act will be preferred against undocumented foreign nationals.