The Citizen reports that on Friday police in Mpumalanga arrested six illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, at Matsulu C during an operation to curb illegal mining networks in the province.

The six suspects, including foreign nationals from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, appeared briefly in the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court. The suspects were arrested for the illegal possession of gold bearing materials and illegal dealing in gold. The six were remanded in custody and the case was postponed to 25 July for further investigation. The suspects were nabbed during a multidisciplinary intelligence driven operation to curb illegal mining operations in the province. The operation included Hawks Nelspruit’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation, the National Intervention Unit, the Tactical Response Team and the Department of Home Affairs. “The joint operation was aimed at disrupting illegal mining activities around Mpumalanga. During the operation two laboratories processing gold bearing materials were dismantled respectively,” said a Hawks spokesperson.

• Read the original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page