News24 reports that in two separate operations last week, ten ‘zama zamas’ were arrested in Rustenburg for illegal mining.  

On Thursday, two suspects - aged 30 and 38 - were arrested in a joint operation by members of Serious Organised Crime Investigation and the Public Order Policing unit, along with the Department of Mineral Resources.  "The suspects were allegedly found mining illegally using excavators.  They however had no environmental authorisation issued by the Department of Mineral Resources," said a Hawks spokesperson.  In a separate incident in Rustenburg earlier in the week, eight people - aged between 33 and 47 - were arrested on Tuesday when they were found mining illegally with excavators and trucks.  All the suspects were scheduled to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 14 November 2020.

• Read the original of the above report by Nicole McCain at News24

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