By OBAKENG MAJE
21 December 2025- The newly-established Crime Combatting Team to address illegal mining in the Bapong area arrested 21 suspects from 11 until 20 December 2025, at Sarajevo Section, Legalaopeng, and Modderspruit villages in the policing precinct of Mooinooi. The suspects were nabbed mostly for contravention of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002), and for contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said 11 suspects were arrested on 12 December 2025 and a Toyota LDV loaded with chrome-bearing material, as well as other mining equipment was seized. Myburgh said on 13 December 2025, one suspect was arrested and a truck with two trailers containing chrome-bearing material was seized.
“On 14 December 2025, the team arrested five more suspects for drinking in public. Two of them were further charged for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. On 18 December 2025, the team arrested a suspect (51) for contravention of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Act, 2002 and seized a Nissan 1-ton truck, an excavator, and mining equipment.
“On 20 December 2025, a suspect (19) was arrested in Sarajevo with a wheelbarrow containing chrome-bearing material and charged for illegal mining. The team apprehended two more suspects, a man (52) and a woman (41). They also seized the pair’s vehicle, a bakkie containing chrome-bearing material. The suspects are both undocumented Zimbabweans,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, thanked the members for their hard work and continued efforts in the fight against illicit mining activities in the Bapong area.
The Guardian 