Suspected illegal miner offers SAPS R19 500 bribe

The operation led police to the corner of Red Sea Street and Cloverdene Road in Chief Albert Luthuli Park.

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R19 500 in cash laid out in piles next to each other on a wooden table. — The R19 500 in cash allegedly offered to EMPD officers as a bribe was confiscated and booked as evidence. Photo: EMPD

The EMPD Intervention Unit, with Community Liaison Unit (CLU) officers, arrested a man on June 3 in the Cloverdene area for alleged illegal mining-related offences and attempted bribery.

Acting on information received, officers followed up on reports of a suspect allegedly in possession of illegal mining equipment and soil suspected to contain gold-bearing material.

The operation led police to the corner of Red Sea Street and Cloverdene Road in Chief Albert Luthuli Park, where they discovered a man inside a room containing illegal mining equipment, stones believed to contain gold, and several bags of soil.

Gas bottles, buckets and other implements used for illegal mining photographed on grass. — Illegal mining equipment seized by EMPD officers during an operation in Cloverdene on June 3. Photo: EMPD.

A SAPS evidence bag containing sand believed to be taken in illegal mining. — Soil with suspected gold-bearing material were among the items confiscated by EMPD officers during the operation in Cloverdene. Photo: EMPD.

According to EMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Kelebogile Thepa, the suspect attempted to avoid arrest by offering officers a bribe.

During the operation, he allegedly presented officers with a small carry bag containing R19 500 in cash in an effort to negotiate his release.

The officers rejected the bribe, and the cash was confiscated as evidence.

Clear, small plastic bottles with black lids containing small stones. — Stones and material suspected to contain gold recovered during the operation and seized for further investigation. Photo: EMPD

All suspected illegal mining equipment, soil samples, and other items found at the premises were also seized and booked for further investigation.

The suspect was arrested and detained at Crystal Park Police Station. He faces charges of illegal mining, contravention of the Immigration Act (Act 13 of 2002), bribery, and possession of suspected gold-bearing or precious material.

He is expected to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court soon.

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