A 24-year-old male was arrested by members of Mopàni Illegal Mining Task Team for illegal mining and the contravention of the immigration Act at Shikukwane area, Giyani and was remanded in custody after appearing before Giyani Magistrate Court on Friday, 01 September 2023.
According to the Police report, the Illegal Mining Task Team, comprising of Provincial Organized Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence, Members of POPS and Home Affairs were on a collaborative combatting operation targeting illegal mining activities when they found suspects mining illegally at Shikukwane mining. Upon realizing that the Police had arrived, they fled the scene on foot, in an attempt to evade arrest however, one male was successfully nabbed by police.
Police confiscated the following equipment:
1 x green wheelbarrow
2x shovels
1x spade
1x pick
1x hammer
1x panga
1x bag of suspected precious minerals
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the team for their tireless efforts in bringing illegal miners to book.
The suspect, Nkosikhona Ndhlala appeared before Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Friday 01 September 2023 and his case has been remanded to Thursday, 07 September 2023 for further investigation and a formal bail application.
Police investigations continues.