The Citizen reports that forty-three male suspects, aged between 18 and 43, were apprehended on Tuesday for illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the suspects, comprising 41 undocumented Zimbabweans, one Mozambican national and one South African citizen, were apprehended during a joint intelligence operation conducted by the members of the provincial illegal mining task team, the provincial organised crime unit and RR Undercover security company at Ga-Phasha village under Sefateng mine jurisdiction in the Mecklenburg policing precinct. The suspects are expected to appear at the Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Ledwaba reported as follows: “Police received information about illegal mining activities taking place in the area and swiftly reacted. Upon arrival, police found the suspects busy mining a precious metal (chrome) at the mine without authorisation. When the suspects noticed police presence, they ran into the nearby bushes and others went inside the self-made tunnels in an attempt to evade arrest.” Police confiscated 12 generators, 10 jackhammers valued at R170 000 and chrome estimated to be valued at more than a million rand.
- Read the original of the report in the above regard by Siphumelele Khumalo at The Citizen
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