23 arrested in two days
Police arrested 23 alleged illegal miners (Zama-zamas) and illegal immigrants .
EVANDER – Police arrested 23 alleged illegal miners (Zama-zamas) and illegal immigrants during the two-day Secunda Cluster Operation Fiela on 25 and 26 November.
The operation was in partnership with Protea Coin Security from Evander Gold Mine and was led by Brig TE Mputhi.
Alleged Zama-zamas ran for their lives when their saw an army of police and Protea Coin Security surrounding the shack they rented in eMbalenhle on 25 November.
However, luck was not on their side as the police managed to apprehend them.
The police recovered a fire arm in the shack that was hidden in a school sock.
The police raided all the shacks believed to be rented by the Zama-zamas and arrested the alleged illegal miners.
Winkelhaak Mine where illegal mining is taking place, was also raided and various items such as buckets and shovels believed to be used by the illegal miners, were confiscated.
The operation took place days after Mr Mtlalepula Sibeko (39), an alleged illegal miner, was shot dead at the Winkelhaak Mine.
It is alleged he was illegally mining with his brother when a white Golf parked nearby.
Four armed men got out of the car and fired at Mr Sibeko.
He sustained shot wounds in the upper body.
No one has been arrested yet for this crime.
Motorists and Muzimuhle residents have raised their concerns over the illegal mining in the area.
Sgt Sibusiso Mbuli, police spokesman, said the operation was a success and hopes it has dealt with illegal mining in the area.
“Even if it has not dealt with the problem completely, we are doing our best to deal with it.
“We will investigate to find out more about the Zama-zamas and make sure they are all arrested.
“We urge those who are letting rooms, to come to the police because this is killing our nation.”
In a separate incident, two illegal miners were found underground at the Evander Gold Mine Shaft 8 on Thursday, 26 November.
They were immediately arrested.
The police are investigating as to how they had gained access to the mine.
Those arrested during the Secunda Cluster Operation Fiela are expected to appear in the Evander Magistrate’s Court soon.
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