Police raid illegal mining site in Schoemanskloof
A total of 37 suspects were arrested in Schoemanskloof for alleged illegal mining on the Mashoboto Hills.
After months of complaining by Schoemanskloof residents about illegal mining being done on one of their farms, the police eventually acted.
In a well-organised operation on Thursday, April 3, the police were assisted by soldiers to raid the mining site and 37 suspects were arrested.
“The mining site is on top of the Mashoboto Hills which are situated on a farm with the same name,” said Kobus Joubert of Joubert en Seuns, well-known farmers in the area.
The zama zamas had dug deep trenches and holes in an effort to reach the gold bearing material.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, they also confiscated 15 generators, jackhammers, ammunition and bags full of gold bearing material.
Thirty-three of the 37 suspects are illegal immigrants.
The suspects, aged from 22 and 48, will spend the weekend behind bars and appear in court on Monday, April 7.
*This article was amended after it was published. Lowvelder apologises for any confusion caused.
