A concerned resident who has only been staying for a year in the area says that something needs to be done quickly to prevent any illegal mining from taking place.

“The police or other authorities need to close down this area because our lives are in danger, school children pass here daily on their way to school, I’m afraid that one day a child can fall in those deep holes.

“Another major disturbing factor about this is the illegal connection of electricity (Izinyoka) happening in thes place, cables are just lying around the surface people can get electrocuted from these cables and even burn our houses,” he said.

Also read:GIYANI: Hawks nab 33 illegal gold miners

In November the Department of Mineral Resources, Limpopo Hawks, and the Air Wing cracked down, under the command of Major General Maggy Mathebula, illegal mining operation in the Tlhabine mountains near Ramodike Dam, in the Maake policing area.

In March the Hawks arrested 33 illegal gold miners at Nhlaniki Village outside Giyani and also in May the Hawks and Crime Intelligence closed down an illegal gold laboratories in Mapuve Village outside Giyani, 12 people were arrested as a result.

“We are indeed aware of these dangerous activities and as the police, we are doing our best to resolve this issue as fast as we can with all the relevant stakeholders involved,” explained Colonel Johanna Monyela, Station Commander of Maake Police Station.