ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES SHUT DOWN AT EIKENHOF SOUTH OF JOHANNESBURG
GAUTENG – Fourteen suspects aged between 26 and 51 are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, 15 August 2024, for charges related to operating illicit gold processing facilities in Eikenhof.
The group was arrested on Tuesday, 13 August 2024, following a proactive multifaceted operation by authorities following numerous complaints from the community in and around Eikenhof about the existence of the facilities. The suspects who are Zimbabwean nationals, will face charges of illegal possession of unwrought precious metals as well as contravention of the Immigration Act and Environmental Act.
The West Rand based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team armed with a search warrant descended at the illegal facilities at around 10:00 am. It was an all-encompassing law enforcement line-up with the police Tactical Response Team (TRT), Gauteng Traffic helicopters, local Community Police Forum members in the company of the Department of Health & Safety, Gauteng Traffic Department, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy as well as the South African Diamond & Precious Metals Regulator.
The hive of activities nestled in plots on either side of R554 road were immediately put to a stop. Tons of soil with gold bearing material valued at over R2.5 million was recovered and removed from the scene by our mining sector stakeholders.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng Major General Ebrahim Kadwa visited the scene and praised the multidisciplinary team effort. “The existence of such facilities particularly in residential areas possess a health and environmental challenge. The use of cyanide to extract gold in such a unregulated environment is a recipe for disaster. The illegal activities also have a negative impact on the country’s economy. We urge all communities who suspect similar illicit activities to report such to authorities.” Major General Kadwa remarked.
