PHALABORWA – Eight suspects, between 22 and 48 years old, have been arrested following a operation targeting alleged illegal mining activities.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, July 15, at approximately 12:00, was led by the Hawks from Phalaborwa, Polokwane and Thohoyandou, with support from several law enforcement agencies, security partners and the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Suspects from four countries

According to the Hawks, members acted on information regarding alleged illegal mining activities.

Those arrested are Albert Ncube (26), Tivarere Tivarere (41), Farai Mutemo (36), Kevin Garikai Mavhaiso (32) and Chipo Masiyatsva (47), all Zimbabweans; Tshepo Takana (39), a Lesotho national; Junaid Tibane (23), a Mozambican; and Merlyn Basambilu Ndlovu (48), a South African.

Stolen vehicle seized

During the operation, police searched and seized a vehicle that was allegedly used to transport the suspects.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Pretoria.

Bail application set for August

The eight suspects appeared in the Lulekani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, July 17.

The matter was postponed to Friday, August 12, for a bail application.

A coordinated, multi-agency effort

The operation brought together members of the Hawks, Local Criminal Record Centre, Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, Mopani Tactical Response team, Mopani Illegal Mining team, Mopani Highway Patrol, Crime Intelligence Gathering units from Phalaborwa and Mopani, Gravelotte, Phalaborwa, Lulekani SAPS, Giyani Public Order Policing, Tactico Security Company and officials from the department.

Hawks provincial head Major General Gopz Govender commended the coordinated efforts of all law enforcement agencies and stakeholders.