The members of the Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team together with the Provincial Organised Crime Unit have confiscated illegal mining equipment valued at R67 000-00 during disruptive operations conducted at separate locations under the Apel policing area in Sekhukhune District on Monday, 17 April 2023.
During these operations, three illegal immigrants were also apprehended at Zeekoegart Mountain farm.
Police were conducting an operation when they noticed a group of people busy with illegal mining activities at the mountain and immediately pounced on the suspects.
The suspects started to run away in different directions after noticing the police and three were immediately nabbed while others managed to evade an arrest.
Illegal mining equipment comprising one generator, jackhammer, and three shovels were confiscated during the arrest of the three undocumented Zimbabwean Nationals.
Police proceeded to Ga-Phasha village and continued with the operations and found another group of illegal miners who managed to flee the scene and left behind their equipment.
Subsequently, three generators, and jackhammers valued at R50 000-00 were also seized during the operation.
The suspects aged 26 and 34 will appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrate court soon facing charges of illegal mining and Contravention of Immigration Act.
Police confiscate illegal mining equipment, three suspects arrested in Sekhukhune District https://t.co/CBn6mTZnYm#ArriveAlive #IllegalMiningEquipment #Enforcement @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/dohCxQqB9M
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 18, 2023