Officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Intervention Unit have arrested four undocumented foreign nationals, aged between 18 and 21, for illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act in the Primrose area.

The arrests came during a targeted operation aimed at curbing illegal mining in the city.

Officers raided an illegal mining site in the Makausu Informal Settlement, where the suspects were found in possession of mining equipment, including phendukas, a generator, a gas bottle and hammers.

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Additionally, four cases of alcohol were confiscated at the scene.

All four suspects were detained at Primrose Police Station and face charges of illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act.

They are expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court soon. The EMPD reiterated its commitment to cracking down on illegal mining and related criminal activity across Ekurhuleni.