More than 100 undocumented illegal miners got arrested in a joint operation which was conducted by members of SAPS,SANDF and Department of Home Affairs around Ekurhuleni on Friday.
According to police statement,members of the South African Police Service,South African National Defence Force,Department of Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies descended on Marathon Informal Settlement in Primrose,Ekurhuleni,where there have been an outcry about illegal mining and random shootings in the area.During the operation,which started in the morning until late in the afternoon on Friday 01 December 2023,the team arrested more than 100 undocumented persons who are also suspected to be involved in illegal mining in the area.A number of places where they illegally process gold bearing material were raided and dismantled.A significant quantity of tools of trade that include gas cylinders,pendukas,explosives,and generators were seized.
The police leadership in the Gauteng Province has commended a clean-up operation conducted by government forces and also encouraged people to report any illegal activities in their communities to the police.
Police statement added that Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela applauded the integrated forces for pulling together and called for the community to continue to report illegal activities,including illegal mining.
"The presence of the SANDF members and other law enforcement agencies is helping us a great deal as we continue to make inroads in the fight against illegal mining in our province,"said Lieutenant General Mawela.
Police statement promised that these joint operations,led by senior officers,will continue across the province to deal with the scourge of illegal mining.
In another operation which comprised different state organs has resulted to the arrest of more than 50 suspects for illegal mining around Sekhukhune District in Limpopo Province.
According to statement,in the early hours of Friday,01 December 2023,the District Commissioner of Sekhukhune,Major General Junior Lehabe-Metsi joined SAPS members from various stations and units,SANDF members,Private Securities,Department of Minerals and Energy,Department of Transport,Home Affairs and other stakeholders embarked on an illegal mining disruptive operation.
Police confirmed that the operation was conducted in different places around the district which is facing a high number of illegal mining operations.
"The concept of the operation was based on illegal miners at Sekhukhune District,respectively at Apel,Mecklenburg,Driekop and Burgersfort policing area.
"A total of 57 suspects were caught mining illegally in separate incidents at the said areas,others were arrested during roadblock,stop and searches in the identified hotspot areas.
During the arrest,one truck,two firearms,one excavator,33 generators,61 wheelbarrows,three Jack hammers,25 shovels,and two electric cords,which are two electric drills,eight spades,forty-two chisels,one punch,two grinders,one of torch,two headlamps,one cell phone and 340.500 Litres of alcohol were seized,"concluded police statement.