The Citizen reports that a 62-year-old farm owner and 97 illegal Lesotho nationals were arrested on Monday in Heidelberg, Gauteng, for a number of crimes.

According to the SA Police Service (SAPS), all suspects will appear in the Heidelberg Magistrate’s Court on charges that include illegal mining, being in the country illegally, human trafficking, possession of explosives and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The arrests were made after a team, consisting of various SAPS specialised units, swooped in on a farm where the illegal miners had been operating from. The police reported: “Upon further interrogation and inspection, the team seized mining equipment and implements. It was also discovered that all the suspects, between the ages of 18 and 35, are all Lesotho nationals and majority were in the country illegally. Three unlicensed firearms and 570 rounds of ammunition were also seized.” The farm owner was also found with illegal ammunition and gold bearing equipment.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
• Read too, Cops round up farmer and 97 illegal miners on Gauteng farm; seize 570 rounds of ammunition, at IOL

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