HIGHVELD – Illegal miners and mineral dealers are warned that their time is up.
Lt General Mondli Zuma, provincial police commissioner, said in a press release today, 20 April, the police are coming for them.
The warning by the General comes in the wake of sporadic incidences of illegal mining and illicit dealing in minerals in places throughout the province, such as Barberton, Ermelo, Embalenhle and Lydenburg.
“We have learnt of violent clashes and in-fighting taking place involving rival groups and individuals that often go unreported. People have died in these clashes. In some incidents, the earth caved in on illegal miners and buried them inside mine shafts.”
Lt Gen Zuma said the police will not tolerate these acts.
“Numerous people have been arrested for possession and or dealing in minerals. In the most recent event, 11 men aged between 24 and 59, two of which are security guards and another two are employees of the company, were arrested and appeared before the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 April. They are facing charges of being found in possession of suspected stolen chrome.”
“The arrest emanated after some law-abiding citizens tipped-off the police about some clandestine activities in the area. Police responded swiftly and at the mentioned place, found nine trucks loaded with chrome to an estimated value of R5 million, hence the arrest.”
They were all remanded in custody until 24 April for a formal bail application.
