Illegal mining equipment seized as police and SANDF arrest 30 in Mohlakeng
Thirty were arrested with dozens of generators, jackhammers and other illegal mining equipment recovered during Operation Prosper's crackdown in Mohlakeng over the weekend.
Thirty suspects were arrested during a joint police and South African National Defence Force crackdown on illegal mining in Mohlakeng held over two days from September 6 to 7.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the suspects, aged between 25 and 43, are from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa.
They face charges including illegal mining, possession of illegal mining equipment and contraventions of the Immigration Act. Police recovered 44 generators, pendukas, jackhammers, spades, stamps, drill bits, water pumps, detonating cords and explosives.
In a separate recovery on Sunday, 21 abandoned generators and eight jackhammers were also found in Mohlakeng.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court soon.
