Officials continue to root out illegal mining in Roodepoort
"We urge members of the public who witness or have any information regarding illegal mining to report it to the police for further action to be taken.”
Illegal mining on the West Rand has proven to be an increasing threat to residents as reports on turf wars and shootouts between illegal miners and law enforcers are not unusual.
On Tuesday, October 4 Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Region C officers and members of the police continued with their Multi-Disciplinary Illegal Mining Operation conducted in Matholesville and Creswell Park.
Instruments used for illegal mining which include 6 phendukas, 4 stumping pots and 4 garden spades were impounded.
“Illegal mining is detrimental to the environment; it can cause the ground to collapse resulting in the loss of life and it is illegal.
We urge members of the public who witness or have any information regarding illegal mining to report it to the police for further action to be taken,” said JMPD Spokesperson Xolani Fihla.
An operation aimed at ending illegal mining on the West Rand and arresting kingpins was carried out by the police, Hawks, and Department of Home Affairs in the early hours of Tuesday, October 4.
All the arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Carletonville Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of fraud, money laundering, and contravening the Precious Metals Act.
Recently the whole country was shocked when more than 80 illegal miners were arrested and charged with being in the country illegally after a video film crew at a mine dump close to West Village, Krugersdorp was robbed and gang raped.
In October this year, about 300 illegal miners attacked and shot at police members and security guards when they tried to stop zama zamas (illegal miners) from delivering food to miners underground.
Near Randfontein, four months before the shooting incident, approximately 150 illegal miners stormed Sibanye-Stillwater’s mothballed Cooke shaft in an attempt to gain control.
