Thirty illegal miners expected in court in North West on Monday

About 30 illegal miners aged between 18 and 40 are due to appear in the Stilfontein magistrate’s court on Monday.

The suspects face charges of illegal mining, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of gold, and conspiracy to commit an offence.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said: “Among the 30 arrested suspects, two were charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after they were allegedly found in possession of two revolvers.

“Another two were charged with possession of unwrought gold to the value of approximately R100 000.

“The team recovered three rifles, ammunition, unwrought precious metals, food items, medicine, and gold-refining paraphernalia.

“One suspect was allegedly shot and injured during a shootout with the police and was rushed to hospital for medical attention.

“An inquest docket is being investigated after one suspect died soon after he was found hanging from a shaft.”

This comes after a disruptive operation was launched to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the North West.

The operation comprised the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation assisted by the tactical operations management section, local criminal record centre, and explosives unit.

Also taking part in the operation early on Friday were illegal mining task team, national intervention unit, ER24, Harmony Gold mine and Bidvest Protea Coin.

The provincial head for the directorate for priority crime investigation, Major-General Patrick Mbotho, lauded the efforts made by he team to ensure that illegal miners are brought to book. 

Mbotho said the North West Hawks will intensify the disruptive operations in order to curb illegal mining activities in the province.

 

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Shona Buhr