Big blow to illegal mining in Krugersdorp
Hundreds of arrests were made by police following a joint effort by law enforcement agencies. Among those arrested included illegal miners and illegal immigrants.
A multidisciplinary high-density operation led by the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, resulted in the disrupting and dismantling of illegal mining activities in Krugersdorp on Thursday, February 6.
According to Gauteng Police spokesperson Dimakatso Sello, during the operation, police arrested two people for illegal mining and recovered tools used for their activities, which included a generator, motto and padukas (home-made grinding machines).
Furthermore, police arrested 50 illegal immigrants, two suspects for dealing in drugs, six suspects for selling liquor without a valid license and another two for dealing in illicit cigarettes.
”The first phase of the operation, where crime detection members went out to search for suspects who have been on the run, resulted in the arrest of more than 100 suspects. These suspects were wanted for crimes that include murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, theft, and other serious and violent crimes,” Sello confirmed.
The arrested suspects will appear in various Magistrate Courts in due course.
