Illegal mining clampdown shakes West Rand hotspots: 11 arrested
11 arrests were made during co-ordinated SAPS illegal mining operations across Randfontein, Roodepoort and surrounding areas.
Three suspects were arrested for possession of suspected gold-bearing material during an integrated police operation in Randfontein on May 30.
According to a statement issued by Gauteng police, five undocumented persons were also arrested for contravening immigration legislation during the same operation.
• ALSO READ: West Rand Police strike in major R3m drug bust
Police confiscated various items linked to illegal mining activities, including steel pots, a stone crusher (stamper), pickaxes, phendukas, shovels, hammers, generators, umbrellas, suspected gold-bearing material, bags containing soil, steel balls, hosepipes, a water pump and a jackhammer.
The operation formed part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining activities in the West Rand.
In a separate but related operation under Operation Prosper, police, together with Crime Intelligence, the South African National Defence Force and other law enforcement agencies, intensified efforts against illegal mining across Johannesburg and the West Rand districts.
On May 28, an integrated illegal mining operation was conducted in the Roodepoort policing precinct, covering areas including Durban Deep, Matholesville, Sol Plaatjie, Creswell Park and the Roodepoort CBD.
During the operation, three undocumented persons were arrested for contravening immigration legislation.
Police also confiscated items associated with illegal mining, including metre cortex, blasting caps, phendukas, garden spades, stampers, stamper pots, steel balls, plastic buckets, hammers and generators.
In addition, officers recovered ammunition, including 30 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition with one AK-47 magazine, 14 rounds of 9mm live ammunition with one 9mm magazine, and 42 rounds of .223 Remington live ammunition.
