Update at 18:10

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli has confirmed to Lowvelder that a multidisciplinary team arrested nine suspected illegal miners on the R539 in Mashoboto.

He said the arrests occurred amid law enforcement’s intensified operations against illegal mining in the region.

“Police are working collaboratively with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the status of the arrested suspects in the country,” added Mdhluli.

Police recovered mining equipment and chemicals suspected to be used to refine gold-bearing material. The suspects are expected to appear in court in due course.

Initial artice at 14:53

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that nine suspected illegal miners were arrested earlier today (October 3).

“They are still being processed, and once we are done, we will make the information available,” Masondo told Lowvelder.

Gunfire closes R539

The arrests come after the R539 was closed several times over the past week amid ongoing exchanges of gunfire between rival groups that resulted in several deaths.

A heavy police presence has since been deployed to the area as law enforcement operations continue to address the ongoing illegal mining activity and related violence.

Gunfights between rival illegal mining groups previously forced the closure of one of Mpumalanga’s busiest and most scenic routes, the R539 in Schoemanskloof.

This week’s events were not the first of their kind. According to a community member, sporadic shots have been heard for the past two years and reported to police every time. Tuesday’s fight was allegedly the fourth incident involving heavy gunfire since July, with two incidents in August, one being on August 28.

Community members called on the police to maximise their operations in the area to curb illegal mining, which also has devastating effects on the environment. During a meeting with the police in Pilgrim’s Rest last weekend, a call was made to appoint an independent task team with members from outside the province to assist.

Lowvelder earlier this week reported that a concerned local said the South African National Defence Force deployed a group in the area last year, which reportedly had a positive impact. Once they had left, however, illegal mining resumed.

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