Several illegal miners nabbed with explosives in Krugersdorp
Five suspects, including three illegal immigrants, were arrested, and explosives and gold-bearing material were seized during a joint SAPS and SANDF illegal mining operation at Shaft Nine in Krugersdorp.
Five suspects were arrested on Tuesday, February 17, during a multidisciplinary illegal mining operation at Shaft Nine in Krugersdorp.
According to acting police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the arrests were carried out by the Provincial Stabilisation Illegal Mining Team in collaboration with police and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
“The suspects were apprehended for possession of illegal mining equipment and gold-bearing material, while three of the five were also arrested for being illegal immigrants,” Sibeko said.
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He added that during the operation, police confiscated various items believed to be used in illegal mining activities. These included pendukas, a wood saw, steel hammers, an angle grinder, electric cables, a generator, a bottle of stroke oil, a bag containing steel chisels, a headlamp and a knee guard.
Authorities also seized liquor stored in a plastic drum, gold-bearing material and explosives. The explosives comprised five blasting cartridges, one capped fuse and one detonating cord.
Police investigations are ongoing.
