Police arrest 13 more suspected zama zamas near Sabie
A wave of police operations targeting illegal mining in the Lowveld has included road closures, violent shoot-outs and the seizure of gold-bearing equipment.
A major law enforcement operation targeting illegal mining in the Sabie area has led to 22 arrests following violent shoot-outs between suspected rival zama zama groups that forced repeated closures of the R539 Schoemanskloof route, reports the Lowvelder.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, 13 more suspects were arrested by members of Operation Vala Umgodi in Sabie on Sunday (October 4).
The suspects are expected to appear in the Sabie Magistrate’s Court this morning (October 6).
They face charges relating to illegal mining, possession of gold-bearing material, possession of gold-bearing equipment and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Meanwhile, nine suspects arrested on October 3, including two minors, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court yesterday (October 5).
Their case was postponed to October 19 to allow for an interpreter and legal representation. All nine were remanded in custody.
Shoot-outs force road closures in Mashoboto
The arrests in Mashoboto follow several closures of the busy R539 Schoemanskloof route over the past week amid ongoing exchanges of gunfire, allegedly between rival zama zama groups.
The shootings have reportedly resulted in several deaths.
The latest incident occurred at about 18:00 on September 30 and continued for about 40 minutes, with residents describing the gunfire as sounding like ‘a war zone’.
A heavy police presence has since been deployed to the area as law enforcement operations continue to address illegal mining activity.
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