Four undocumented Mozambican nationals aged between 17 and 39 are expected to appear before Sabie Magistrate’s Court today for Contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa and alleged conducting of illegal mining activities.
The suspects were arrested in Sabie yesterday morning, Monday 16 September 2024. Police received information that a group of people were conducting illegal mining activities in Simile, Sabie.
Police urgently operationalised the information whereby a large group of people were spotted on the illegal mining site.
Most of the suspects managed to evade arrest, but police successfully cornered the four undocumented illegal miners.
Some illegal mining equipment and gold bearing materials were also seized during the operation.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has strongly condemned the illegal mining activities around the province. “Apart from illegal extracting of precious metals, we are really concerned about the safety of those who are involved in these unsafe sites and the infighting amongst different groups that at times lead to the loss of lives,” said the General.