Alleged zama-zamas to be charged with contravening lockdown
In addition to the criminal charges the suspects face, they will also be charged with contravening the lockdown regulations.
LYDENBURG – Local commercial security company, Phoenix flying squad, and mounted security, made a massive bust just before 14:00 today (Tuesday).
Erick Swanepoel and a team of officers from this company managed to arrest eight illegal miners in the Hendriksdal district.
The unlawful miners, also called zama-zamas, were ambushed by the security team. Of the 14 miners, Phoenix managed to arrest eight. Swanepoel told the newspaper that they were on routine patrol when they saw smoke coming from the York Timber plantation side.
“We saw three around a fire, cooking food and managed to bushwhack the remaining eight suspects. In their possession we found a generator, a jackhammer, a dongle with which the rocks are crushed and a 20-litre bucket filled with sand and gold particles.”
He said that the total street value for the gold is in the region of R300 000. The team also confiscated a bakkie. Dagga was found in the bakkie.
The suspects, together with all the equipment, were handed over to the Sabie SAPS. Station commander for Sabie SAPS, Col BC Lesele, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
Lesele said that the eight will be charged with illegal mining, possession of stolen gold and the possession of dagga.
In addition to the criminal charges the suspects face, they will also be charged with contravening the lockdown regulations.
Lesele said that the suspects will appear in the Sabie Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
