Task team arrests 52 illegal miners in Secunda area
Suspects will appear in court soon.
The police arrested 52 suspected illegal miners at Shaft 6 of Evander Mine during the Vala Umgodi operation on April 25.
According to Colonel Donald Mdhluli, Mpumalanga’s provincial commissioner spokesperson, this 17-hour sting operation kicked off on April 24 at 06:00 and ended on April 25 at 11:00.
Among the 52 men, 38 are facing charges in connection with illegal mining.
The teams that gathered for the operation include the Mpumalanga Operation Vala Umgodi task team, Secunda Crime Intelligence, Secunda Vispol, Leslie Vispol, Evander police, Bethal police, eMzinoni police and Stratcon Risk Security Service.
During the arrests, the team discovered that 46 of the arrested men were in the country illegally, and all the suspects were also facing charges of trespassing.
The team also found gold-bearing material in their possession, which the police confiscated. The 52 men will appear in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court soon.
The provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, praised the team for their continuous hard work.
ALSO READ: GMM residents: Get ready to tighten your belt…again
ALSO READ: eMbalenhle family appeal to community to help them find boy
