SAPS zero in on zama zamas
Police have intensified the fight against illegal mining in Brakpan.
The local SAPS mounted a special operation to combat the unlawful activity in the area on Friday, last week.
This was the second operation police have conducted in recent weeks, with the aim of combating illegal mining.
Last month, an operation held in Dalpark Extension One led to the discovery of dynamite blasting caps and fuses.
Police also found goods believed to have been stolen in burglaries and smash-and-grabs.
On Friday, three illegal mining sites were combed by dozens of police members, including officers from the Public Order Policing Unit.
In Sallies Village, police searched a property which has been destroyed by illegal miners.
The property, which belongs to Johan Janse van Rensburg and was once the pay offices of Sallies Mines, has been left in ruins by zama zamas operating in the area.
The Herald reported on Janse van Rensburg’s plight with the illegal miners in July.
The illegal miners presence on this property is clearly evident and hardly anything remains of the once-beautiful building.
While no arrests were made, police did confiscate equipment suspected óf being used by the zama zamas.
Amongst the seized goods were a generator, three spades, a pickaxe, two wheelbarrows and a pair of gumboots.
More equipment was confiscated during a search of the Weltevreden Landfill Site.
The Herald was astounded to witness the extent of the illegal mining taking place within the dump site.
After slipping through a hole in the wall — a few meters from the landfill site’s entrance and the route obviously used by illegal miners — it is immediately clear that zama zamas are searching for gold here.
Despite the obvious giant holes in the ground, the Herald saw two crudely constructed sluice-like structures used by the miners to search for gold.
Made with wood, the structures have been draped in plastic and towels.
A large plastic drum, with holes punched in the bottom, has been positioned at the top and a hosepipe has been attached to it.
It is believed the towels are used to trap any gold that may be washed away.
At one of these structures, a police officer found tiny flecks of gold in a pan of dirty water.
Pans, bowls, sieves and buckets were found in abundance, as were bottles of cold drink and water, clothes and empty cigarette packets.
Much of the same was found when police searched the open piece of land next to the landfill site.
The ground is pockmarked with holes and the same sluice-like structures, equipment and supplies were found.
Brakpan police have vowed to continue monitoring these areas and have more operations planned for the future.
The Herald has requested comment from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality regarding the illegal mining taking place within the Weltevreden Landfill Site.
More photos: Sallies Village
Next to Weltevreden Landfill Site
Inside Weltevreden Landfill Site
Gallery 3
