Caxton News Service reports that this past Friday the police and their various units, as well as the Metro police, launched a massive operation against illegal mining in Roodepoort.
Heavily armed police quietly blocking all exits around the piece of land between Gustaf Street and Miles Stoker Road. When the Mounted Unit and a police helicopter arrived, more than a hundred police officers pounced on the various shafts used by the zama zamas (illegal miners). At least three shots were fired as police arrested multiple fleeing zama zamas. A misunderstanding led to two groups of police going to different locations where illegal miners are active. Because of this the second phase of the operation could not be completed successfully. The police posted warnings at all the shafts to evacuate them before next Friday. The shafts will then be sealed, and those who remain inside will do so at their own peril.
- Read this report by Riaan van Zyl in full at The Citizen
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