On Thursday, March 27, the Germiston SAPS hosted an operation.
This was a combined effort of the Germiston SAPS, EMPD, the Department of Home Affairs, Emergency Services, SAPS Organised Crime Unit, TRT Unit, Elsburg SAPS and the Johannesburg SAPS K9 Dog Unit.
The main objective of the operation was to arrest a number of illegal miners found in Germiston West.
Upon arrival, at the scene where the miners had last been seen, members acted quickly to surround the area, to prevent the miners from running away.
In total, 24 miners were arrested.
Eleven of them were charged with possession of gold concentrate, under the Illegal Mining Act.
The other 13 were charged by the Department of Home Affairs and detained at the Germiston Police Station, as they are illegal immigrants.
“All the implements and generators found at the scene were confiscated and brought to Germiston Police Station and handed in as exhibits,” said WO André de Jager, spokesperson for the Germiston SAPS.
“This operation was executed after a lengthy period of investigation and information-gathering.
“The Operation was a success and Brigadier Samuel Thambo, station commander of the Germiston SAPS, congratulated all who played a role in the operation.”
