WATCH: Law enforcers seize tons of illegal mining equipment during operation
“We want to infiltrate the hotspots and fight it.”
In an illegal mining operation between the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies, including the SANDF, they arrested about 39 suspects in Benoni on February 9.
Led by Brigadier Chester Spiers from the provincial SAPS, this was one of several operations the police have embarked on to tackle illegal mining issues in Gauteng.
“We want to make an impact. We want to arrest all undocumented people and confiscate all items linked to illegal mining. That’s what we’ve been doing in the last couple of months,” said Spiers.
When asked to share the provincial SAPS’ plan to root out illegal mining, he responded, “The purpose is to stop it. That’s why all hands are on deck. That’s why there isn’t just one operation. We want to infiltrate the hotspots and fight it.”
The brigadier appealed to communities for help, saying they could only defeat illegal mining and other criminal acts if they worked together.
Among the suspects, officers detained 10 for illegal mining and being undocumented, 28 for being in the country illegally and one for the illegal possession of explosives.
According to regional SAPS spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela, they seized illegal mining tools, including six Innopack blasting cartridges, 44 pendukas, 11 stumpers, 24 crush pots, alcohol, and six oxygen bottles.
Ekurhuleni district commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole, applauded the team’s efforts to address illegal mining in the region. She assured community members that they would still do similar operations.
Also Read: Operation yields successful arrests
Also Read: Operation yields successful arrests
