A operation between the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, Department of Mineral Resources and Giyani Public Order Police resulted in the arrest of a 30 year-old suspect for illegal mining on Wednesday, 21 August 2019, at Nhlaniki village outside Giyani.

The suspect was found with alleged mining gold-bearing material at the rehabilitated Ellerton mine.

“Mining equipment including 2 generators, 2 pendukas, 13 drill bits and explosives were seized. In the past two years, similar operations have resulted in numerous illegal miners being arrested in an effort to curb these activities that impact negatively in the country’s economy,” Captain Matimba Maluleke said.

Read: TZANEEN: Illegal mining poses danger to residents

The suspect is expected to appear at the Giyani Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday 22 August.

Read:GIYANI: Hawks nab 33 illegal gold miners

“More operations are still going to be conducted in other parts of the province to fight the scourge of illegal mining,” Maluleke stated.