Illegal miners arrested with stolen goods

Three illegal miners were arrested today, Wednesday, 17 May for illegal mining and possession of suspected stolen goods in Limpopo.

ILLEGAL MINERS ALSO ARRESTED FOR UNLAWFUL MINING

Spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the Police in Driekop arrested the three male suspects for illegal mining, possession of suspected stolen goods and contravention of the immigration act during a disruptive operation at Modikwa Mountain outside Burgersfort in Sekhukhune District.

“The Provincial Task Team on illegal mining was conducting targeted operations on illegal mining activities around Modikwa Mountain when they noticed a group of people mining on the mountain. They approached them and when they noticed the police, they started to run in different directions to evade arrest,” Lewaba explained.

THE GOODS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THE SUSPECTS

He added that the Police managed to arrest three male suspects aged 27, 29 and 55 years and confiscated mining equipment that included 45 power generators, 38 jackhammers, 3 spades, 9  Shovels, a pick and a hammer.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded the teams involved in the operation.

“The commitment by these members is a good sign that we are more than determined to fight illegal mining in this Province.”

General Hadebe

ALSO READ: DA starts petition to stop illegal mining by Zama-Zamas

Colonel Ledwaba further indicated that these illegal miners will appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 18 May 2023 on charges of illegal mining, possession of suspected stolen goods and contravention of the immigration act.

ALSO READ: Disruption of illegal mining continues in Gauteng

MAN FOUND WITH NARCOTICS WITH THE VALUE OF OVER R100 000

Meanwhile, earlier today 17 May 2023, members attached to the Anti-Economic and Extortion task team operationalised information and searched a premises situated on 40th Street, Ravensmead.

During the search, they accosted a suspicious man seated next to a bin and upon searching the bin, discovered a black bag containing 1,82 kg of crystal meth (tik) wrapped in brown tape with an estimated street value of R120 000-00.

The 63-year-old suspect is expected to appear in Goodwood magistrate court.

This is a developing story.

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