Police in Gauteng have arrested more than 70 suspected illegal miners, found unlicensed firearms, and seized gold-bearing material in a recent operation. The arrests were carried out by Operation Prosper/Karabo, a joint, multidisciplinary security initiative involving the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). This operation is aimed at cracking down on illegal mining and associated criminal activities in the region.
The arrests were made on Tuesday, and police are still at the scene processing information and gathering evidence. Acting Gauteng police commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana is expected to provide more details on the arrests later. The operation is a continuation of previous efforts to clamp down on illegal mining in the area.
This is not the first time law enforcement agencies have conducted operations to curb illegal mining in Gauteng. Between September 14 and 20, 39 suspects were arrested and explosives, suspected gold-bearing material, and equipment used in illegal mining were seized during a week-long operation in Mohlakeng and the Randfontein CBD.
During the previous operation, police confiscated a significant haul of explosives in the Mohlakeng policing precinct, along with related arrests. The seized items included 17 explosives, 12 blasting cartridges, detonating cord, connector-capped fuses, a copper connector fuse, and six stock tube assemblies.
In addition to explosives, police also seized mining equipment and suspected gold-bearing material. The confiscated equipment included generators, jackhammers, chisels, stampers, gold-refining equipment, water pumps, drill bits, spades, hammers, hacksaws, and drills believed to have been used in illegal mining operations.
Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from possession of explosives and suspected gold-bearing material to possession of illegal mining equipment, immigration offences, and driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspects were intercepted while allegedly transporting suspected gold-bearing material.
The recent operation yielded a significant number of arrests, with more than 70 suspected illegal miners taken into custody. The operation is part of a continued effort to combat illegal mining and related crimes in Gauteng.
Key points
- Over 70 suspected illegal miners were arrested in a Gauteng operation aimed at cracking down on illegal mining.
- The operation seized gold-bearing material and unlicensed firearms, and resulted in the arrest of suspects for various offences.
- This is part of a continued effort by law enforcement agencies to combat illegal mining and related crimes in the region.
