Picture: Some of equipment confiscated by police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
Twelve suspected illegal miners were arrested in Bleksop, near Rustenburg on 15 August 2024, during Operation Vala Umgodi. The accused briefly appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 19 August 2024, for possession of copper cables and contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The accused persons include five Zimbabweans and seven Mozambicans. Mokgwabone said during the arrest, the police seized illegal mining equipment, including five generators, water pump, five jack hammers, garden spades, pound hammers and a battery.”
Mokgwabone said the accused were remanded in custody until 3 September 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrests and the confiscation of illegal mining equipment. Kwena further praised all members involved for their tireless efforts in the fight against illegal mining.
The Guardian 