Picture: Illegal miners arrested during high-density operation/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
In an effort to address the pursuit of illicit mining activities in the Namakwa District, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said, they have executed a two-in-one joint multi-disciplinary operation with the main focus on illicit mining at the AK 64 mining block and the Springbok hostel situated in Kleinsee.
Otola said the multi-disciplinary operation was conducted in the Namakwa area and dealt illegal miners a hard blow, following a crime intelligence-driven operation that was executed over two days.
“The operation commenced on 19 September 2023 and ended on 20 September 2023. During the disruptive actions, a total of 867 persons were apprehended and arrested for various offences of whom the majority were undocumented persons.
“The operation focused on illegal mining activities in the Kleinzee area during which numerous digging equipment and implements were confiscated. During the disruptive actions, police entered the mining areas and arrested illegal diggers in the unauthorized areas,” she said.
Otola further said the Springbok hostels were also demolished after the police actions. She added that, unfortunately, three men were injured during the actions and received medical treatment afterwards.
“Various SAPS Stations and units within the Namakwa District, Provincial Components and the Department of Home Affairs participated in the execution of the operation. Immigration officials were on-site during the execution of the operation.
“All detainees will be appearing in various magistrate’s courts within the district and will be transferred to holding facilities. Three SAPS helicopters assisted the ground forces with aerial support by directing them in the mining area,” said Otola.
She also commended the multi-disciplinary task teams including the management of the AK 64 mine, who assisted in the execution of the disruptive actions and stated that, these actions sent a clear message to illegal miners that their disregard for the law will not be tolerated and continuous actions will prevail unabated and relentlessly.
Otola also thanked the members of all agencies for their commitment and dedication in this collaborative quest to reclaim the mines from illegal diggers and at the same time, issued a clear message to the locals that harbouring illegal foreigners and undocumented persons is an offence, and they will be prosecuted.
The Guardian 