Police in Mpumalanga have arrested 21 suspected illegal miners who are now faced with charges before various courts. This follows a sting operation conducted between Wednesday, 23 June 2021 and Sunday, 27 June 2021.
Operations took place at Dientjie, Pilgrim’s Rest and Sabie in order to defuse the lethal activities carried out by suspects who put their lives as well as of others at risk as they continue mining illegally. During these Stimulus Operations, some suspects were found to be minors whilst others were undocumented persons.
The formations that participated in the operation include members from Mpumalanga Provincial Visible Policing Component who collaborated with Lydenburg, Standerton, Middelburg, Secunda, Ermelo and Komatipoort K9 Units as well as Crime Prevention Unit members from Ehlazeni District.
The suspects are facing charges of possession of gold-bearing material as well as contravening of the Immigration Act. Police are working in collaboration with the Immigration Officers as well as the Probation Officers as some of the suspects are in the country unlawfully and 8 are minors between the ages of 15 and 17, from Mozambique. Several items believed to have been used during the illegal mining activities such as oxygen cylinders, a generator, cutting torch, chains, spades, and step ladders have been seized.