| 2024/08/26 |
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Media Statement
FREE STATE- Operation Knockout, which runs parallel with the actions of Vala Umgodi in the fight against illicit mining in the Lejweleputswa and surrounding areas, yielded notable successes this week. The Knockout team is working closely with private security to conduct disruptive actions and react to information about illicit trade taking place at any shaft in the Welkom vicinity. The old shafts are tactically approached as the entrances, which are mostly barricaded with rocks. This does not deter the team from clearing the entrances so they can reach the illegal miners underground. On Wednesday, 21 August 2024, while on a way-lay operation, members received information that took them to Thabong G-Hostel, where they surprised two male suspects busy trying to wash gold-bearing material. The suspects managed to flee, but their tools were confiscated, including a blue pipe and cutting torch. On their way back to their base, they came across two men, aged 26 and 48, who admitted that they did not have legal documents to be in South Africa. They were both arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act. One male, aged 34, was arrested after he was found in possession of gold bearing material in Thabong at about 18:00. The same day, at about 19:30, an 18-year-old man was arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act. Two people were arrested in Longroad for fraud after members discovered that they fraudulently designed their papers. Six suspetcs aged between 34 and 36, were arrested in the Marriespruit old mine shaft for possession of gold-bearing material, tresspassing,and contravention of the Immigration Act. The six were surprised while busy with phendukas in the mine yard on 21 August 2024 at about 21:40. The team, while on patrols near Riebeeckstad, arrested an 18-year-old illegal foreign national and three other suspects, aged 21, 29 and 41 in Constantia Road in Thabong. While in Nyakallong, the Knockout Team arrested nine (9) illegal immigrants aged between 25 and 41 after they were found walking in the street. On Friday, 23 August 2024, after two of their partners were arrested, they decided to hand themselves over to the Knockout team. On Friday, four suspects were arrested in Theunissen after they were found with gold-bearing material and equipment. The team again received information about a smelt house in Reibeeckstad and managed to arrest one male found with gold-bearing material and a contravention of the Medicine Act. The operation continues in the Lejweleputswa District and the Knockout Team managed to arrest 139 suspects on crimes such as trespassing, possession of illicit mining equipment, malicious damage to property, fraud, obstruction of justice and assault on a police officer.
Ends
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