ERMELO – The National Intervention police unit, along with various stakeholders from Ermelo police arrested 271 men during an operation against illegal mining in Ermelo on October 13.

According to Captain Carla Prinsloo, Ermelo police spokesperson, the operation was lead by the SAPS Gert Sibande District Office.

They were assisted by members from the SAPS National Intervention Unit, SAPS Ermelo, Ermelo K9, the SAPS Air Wing, Department of Home Affairs and security companies.

Amongst the people arrested were 30 Zimbabwean citizens, 92 citizens from Mozambique and 11 from Swaziland.

Investigation revealed the men from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland did not have proper documentation to be in the country and the are facing charges accordingly.

Police confiscated one front-end loader, three trucks and six bakkies, loaded with coal, wheelbarrows, pick axes and forks.

The group is expected to appear in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on October 17.