Police helicopter tracks down illegal miners outside Polokwane
Mining equipment and explosives were confiscated during the arrest of three foreign nationals at the Zandrivier mine in Bergenek outside Polokwane.
POLOKWANE – Two Mozambican nationals, aged 31 and 45 years old, and a 25-year-old Zimbabwean will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday (April 28) on charges of illegal mining, possession of explosives and Contravention of the Immigration Act.
The trio were arrested on Tuesday (April 25) at the Zandrivier mine in Bergenek outside Polokwane after an operation by various police units including the Provincial Organized Crime Investigation Unit, the illegal mining task team and the Department of Minerals and Energy.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects attempted to flee the scene by running towards the top of the mountain but were tracked down by a police helicopter who surveyed the area.
“During the arrest, police seized illegal mining equipment whose value are still to be determined. The equipment included a generator, two breakers, one solar panel, two drill bits and a chisel. Furthermore, 54 bags containing gold bearing materials and explosives comprising of 10 blasting cartridges, three pieces of detonating cord and five detonating fuses were also confiscated,” Ledwaba’s statement read.
He added that police investigations continue.
