Fight against illegal mining rages on

LIMPOPO – The fight against illegal mining in the province have once again yielded positive results following the arrest of two suspects who were caught in the act at Bergeneck Village outside Polokwane on Wednesday 14 September 2022.

Police said members of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit conducted a disruptive joint-operation together with the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE), the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the provincial task team, Westernburg police, crime intelligence, Public Order Policing (POPS) and the Home Affairs Immigration officials.

Lieutenant Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said that emanated from an alert by a member of the community about illegal mining activities that were taking place in the area, including a high number of undocumented residents from the neighbouring countries.

Ledwaba indicated that police pounced on the illegal mining sites and managed to arrest two suspects believed to be Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals while other evaded arrest by fleeing in different directions abandoning their mining equipment.

He informed that police confiscated properties valued at R120 000 at the illegal mining site during the arrest, including a small packet containing gold, seven pendukas, three generators, rolls of electric cable, a roll of pipe, four pendukas’ motors, a Makita jackhammer or demolition breaker, three welding gas cylinders, a wheelbarrow and six water pump motors and explosives.

Ledwaba concluded that the suspects, aged 30 and 32 were expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrates Court soon facing charges of illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act.