A total of 94 illegal miners were arrested in Skeerpoort in Hartbeespoort on Thursday following a multi-disciplinary police and South African Defense Force (SANDF) operation that lasted most of the day.
Members of the police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, National Intervention Unit (NIU), Special Task Force (STF), Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police (POP), Airwing, Mounted Unit, Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), K9, Visible Policing, SANDF, ER24 and Harmony Gold Mine security, pounced on the undocumented illegal miners on a farm in Skeerpoort early on Thursday.
“The suspects were arrested in a mountainous part of the farm where illegal gold mining was reported to be taking place. During the arrest, the team seized large quantities of gold-bearing material and 139 generators worth R1.3 million. Additionally, 24 grinders, 95 jackhammers, hammers, chisels, pick-axes, shovels, cutting torches, gas bottles, electric mills, phendukas and explosives were seized,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
“The suspects who are mainly foreign nationals from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 5 February 2024.”
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the team for their commitment and cooperation that resulted in the arrests and seizures, which he said will serve as a warning that the police working with other stakeholders will leave no stone unturned in dealing with illicit mining.