By REGINALD KANYANE
Ten Zimbabwean foreign nationals were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) during separate operations conducted in Tlhatlhaganyane village, outside Rustenburg and Klerksdorp. It is alleged that seven suspects aged between 24 and 41, briefly appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 3 June 2024, following their arrests in Tlhatlhaganyane village on Saturday afternoon, 01 June 2024, during an illegal mining operation.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were arrested after failing to prove their legal status in the country.
“During the operation, the police found abandoned equipment such as two generators, five water pumps, two jack hammers, shovels, three spades and wheelbarrows. The case was postponed to 6 June 2024, for plea.
“In Klerksdorp, three suspects aged between 23 and 27, were also arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), by the Vala Umgodi team on 3 June 2024, during a disruptive operation conducted at Wolwerand illegal mining site, near Klerksdorp,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the police also discovered a production site and summoned an explosives unit to destroy the chemical. He added that the police found various equipment used during illegal mining activities.
“The equipment included jack hammers, six generators, two phendukas, two gas bottles, two phenduka motors, a welding machine, eight electrical cables, 10 steel rods, a water pump, a grinder and many others. The suspects are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court today,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their efforts in the fight against illegal mining.
The Guardian 