As part of their continued effort to clamp down on illegal mining activities on the West Rand, the police held another operation in Kagiso which saw 53 people being arrested as well as illegal mining equipment being seized.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili explained that the multi-disciplinary operation that took place on August 13 and 14 was part of police’s ongoing efforts to combat illicit mining and associated crimes.

Suspects arrested during the two-day operation were charged with contravening the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005, contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 and possession of a replica firearm.

Muridili said the units that had been deployed included Tactical Response Teams, (TRT), the National Intervention Unit (NIU), the Mounted Unit, Visible Policing, the K9 Unit and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The focus was specifically on medium to high-risk situations in the district while the Public Order Policing (POP) and crime-prevention units’ focus was to enhance visibility and prevent crime in communities.

The Department of Home Affairs officials are assisting with arrested undocumented persons.

During similar operations between August 8 and 12 a total of 110 suspects were arrested. Teams also recovered a rifle that is part of the estate of a deceased man from Pilgrims Rest in Mpumalanga. Two unlicensed firearms, 24 phendukas, generators, gold-bearing material, explosives and drugs, among other things, were also seized.

The communities of the West Rand including the community leaders and local councillors are encouraged to continue working with the police and sharing information on the whereabouts of illegal miners that are alleged to be committing crime in the area.

“Members of the public may also call the police Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or send tip-offs via the My SAPS application which can be downloaded on any smartphone.”