Picture: Some of the equipment confiscated from illegal miners/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 90 alleged illegal miners have been arrested in Klerksdorp. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said in an effort to curb the scourge of illegal mining, the police working together with other role players, arrested 91 illegal miners at two different places.
Tselanyane said the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Illegal Mining Team working together with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Klerksdorp and Provincial Tactical Response Teams (TRTs), Potchefstroom Public Order Police (POP), Stilfontein K9 and Private Security conducted an illegal mining operation at Wolwerand Shiva Mine near Hartbeesfontein, outside Klerksdorp on 25 August 2023.
“During the operation, three suspects were arrested. Sam Mashaba (37), Thapelo Mokoae (26) and Peter Nhlapo (45) were arrested. The police discovered and seized goods such as 32 super power 90 explosives, 220 metres solar cord detonating fuses and seven CarMax fuses.
“Also, 17 generators, 26 jackhammers, four water pumps, eight electrical motors with gearboxes, two borehole pumps, one submersible pump, 320-metre-long electric cable, 51 drill bits, 200 metre air hose, one industrial air compressor for air drilling and 12 big pendukas were confiscated,” he said.
Tselanyane further said the trio appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 28 August 2023 and are facing charges of illegal mining, illegal possession of explosives, possession of suspected gold-bearing material, and contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
He added that they were remanded in custody until 5 September 2023 for further investigation.
Tselanyane said in the second and separate arrest in the early hours of Tuesday, the police in Mooinooi were called to Newman Shaft of Sibanye – Marikana Operations Mine after 88 illegal miners aged between 15 and 40 voluntarily handed themselves over to the authorities.
“Furthermore, of the 88 suspects, 86 are illegal immigrants and two are South Africans. The mine was allegedly rehabilitating the unused shaft when the illegal miners emerged from underground. All the illegal miners were taken to one of the mine halls and later handed over to the police.
“All 88 suspects are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court today on charges of illegal mining, trespassing, tampering with essential infrastructure, and contravention of section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002). Investigations are underway,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police and all external role players for their collaboration in ensuring that the suspects are brought to book. Kwena indicated that operations of this nature will continue to re-assert the authority of the state and to increase the levels of safety and well-being of the citizens.
The Guardian 