NINETEEN SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ILLICIT MINING RELATED OFFENSES BY
OPERATION VALA UMGODI TEAM IN FREE STATE PROVINCE
Concerted efforts by Operation Vala uMgodi roleplayers and stakeholders in Free State Province continue to bear good results. A total of ninteen (19) foreign nationals were arrested on charges related to illicit mining.
During foot, vehicle and air-to-ground drone patrols in Target 1 Slam Dam mine area, Kudu Old mine, St Helena 03 Shaft, Western Holdings 05, St Helena 03 Shaft and Beatrix Mine Shaft 02, fourteen (14) of the suspects, aged between 19 and 42 were found busy with land surface, pit or open cast illegal mining activities.
The police seized gold bearing material weighing at 346.05 kilograms. Gold processing equipment such as Industrial Oxygen cylinders (3), 9kg gas bottles (4), connector pipes with regulators and nozzles, cutting torches (2), Mapp gas cylinders (2), crusable pots (3), crusable plate (6), packets of borax (4), steel plates (5), shovels (6), pick axes (4) and self-made separation sieve bowls were also confiscated.
At Kopanang Mine, collaboration between Bomb Disposal and Explosives Experts Unit and Specialized Security Company [SSG] led to the arrest of two (2) Basotho aged 30 and 52. A self-made 25-liter cement bomb used by illegal underground miners as part of booby trap was also seized. Contraband items such as mielie samp packets, dry wors, soya mince, sugar beans, peanuts and powder drinks with sale value estimated at R47 500.00 were also confiscated by the team.
Two (2) Basotho nationals aged 33 and 36 resurfaced at Masimong 5 Mine by Bidvest Private Security Company and were arrested by the police. Another suspect, a 31 year old Zimbabwean, was also arrested after resurfacing at Beatrix Mine. Operation Vala uMgodi team confiscated antiretrovirals, mouth cleaner, cellular telephones, powder milk, biltong packets, AAA batteries, instant porridge and cash.
Suspects were charged with offenses related to illicit mining such as Trespassing on mine area, Attempt to steal State minerals, Conspiracy to assist illegal underground miners, Possession of suspected gold bearing material: processing equipment, Contravention of Mine Health and Safety Act and Contravention of Immigration Act. All arrested persons will appear before Welkom magistrate Court on Friday 9 May