Seven arrested in Bekkersdal illegal mining crackdown

Seven suspects were arrested during a multidisciplinary law enforcement operation targeting illegal mining activities in the Bekkersdal policing area.

According to police, the arrests were made on June 18 during an Operation Prosper deployment aimed at disrupting illegal mining operations and addressing immigration-related offences in identified crime hotspots across Gauteng.

The operation involved members of the South African National Defence Force, West Rand Public Order Policing and Visible Policing units.

Police said the suspects were arrested for illegal mining and contravention of immigration laws.

During the operation, officers seized several items believed to have been used in illegal mining activities, including four hammers, two spades, a pick, a phenduka, a steel chain and two bags containing gold-bearing material.

Police said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and related criminal activity across the province.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon on charges relating to illegal mining and immigration offences.