Four zama-zamas nabbed
ATOK – Four men have been arrested in connection with illegal mining activities and the contravention of the Immigration Act by multidisciplinary forces on Sunday, 25 February at Atok Village.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba informed that the operation comprised of members from various units in the South African Police Service and the National Defence Force, who operationalised information gathered about illegal miners in the area.
Ledwaba indicated that the four suspected illegal miners, who are Zimbabwean nationals aged between 18 and 36 were spotted, and subsequently arrested. “They were underground in a shaft at an illegal mining site, digging and pilling stock of minerals outside the shafts. Meanwhile, a few suspects, upon noticing the arrival of the police, ultimately fled the scene on foot, running in different directions. The police have confiscated mining equipment that includes one spade and a shovel with some buckets that are believed to be used to carry the minerals out of holes,” explained Ledwaba.
Ledwaba mentioned that police are hard on the heels of the other illegal miners who reportedly fled from the scene.
The suspects were expected to make their first court appearance before the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 27 February, facing charges of illegal mining and the contravention of the Immigration Act. The paper had not received the outcome of their appearance at the time of going to press on Wednesday afternoon.
