PROVINCIAL ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT SEIZES ILLEGAL MINING EQUIPMENT AND ARRESTS SUSPECTS DURING STING DISRUPTIVE OPERATION

PROVINCIAL ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT SEIZES ILLEGAL MINING EQUIPMENT AND ARRESTS SUSPECTS DURING STING DISRUPTIVE OPERATION

POLOKWANE: The ongoing disruptive operations targeting the illegal mining activities across the Province continue to yield positive results following the arrest of a suspect and confiscation of illegal Mining Equipment today, Friday 2023-03-24.

Today’s multi disciplinary disruptive operation was conducted in Lulekani policing area and follows another multidisciplinary operation conducted in Letsitele Policing presinct yesterday in which 26 suspects were apprehended and illegal Mining equipment seized.

The operations were conducted by Provincial Organised Crimes Unit, POP and DMRE. The team was under the stewardship of the Provincial Head of Organised Crime Unit Brigadier Sakie Brancon.

Today, on Friday 24 March 2023, the same team continued with disruptive operation resulting in the arrest of a 33-year-old suspect for illegal mining and possession of mining equipment at the local Farm in Lulekani policing area at around 10h00 in the morning.

Police found the suspect in possession of 6x shovels, 1× pik, 1× spade and 1× crowbar.

Meanwhile the twenty six (26) suspects arrested on Thursday, 23 March 2023, by the same team under Provincial Head of Organised Crime for illegal mining and possession of suspected precious metals and immigration act in Letsitele policing area, appeared in Ritavi magistrate court and they were remanded in custody until Thursday 2023-03-30 for further Investigation. The suspect arrested in Lulekani will appear before Court on Monday 27 March 2023.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded the team for the outstanding job of protecting the special minerals of this province and keeping those acting against the law behind bars.

The operations are proceeding.