| 2025/01/02 |
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Media Statement FREE STATE – Three separate case dockets of attempted theft of State minerals, Trespassing, Contravention of Mine Health and Safety Act and Contravention of Immigration Act were opened at Vierfontein Police Station. The collaboration between Operation Vala Umgodi team of the South African Police Service and Private Security Companies resulted in the arrests of three (3) foreign nationals mining State minerals illegally at Kopanang Mine. The first male aged 42 was arrested in possession of gold bearing amalgam weighing at 18.86 kilograms. He was also found in possession of contraband foodstuffs which he alleges he battered for gold bearing material to illegal miners underground. The second foreign national aged 32 was apprehended in possession of gold bearing amalgam weighing at 1.99 kilograms. According to the suspect, there is still a number of illegal miners busy with illicit mining activities at three plants known to him. The third male arrested was found in possession of gold bearing amalgam weighing at 2.00 kilograms. The 47 year old year foreign national alleges that there is plenty of food that is still being sold between illegal miners underground. Combat and Proactive operators executed various operational concepts at hotspot areas and known locations and a 30 year old male was arrested on an open veld near Hani Park – Bronville. The suspect was found busy with illegal mining activity and gold bearing material weighing at 48.36 kilograms was seized. The second suspect aged 27 was also arrested in Hani Park by the police and gold bearing material weighing at 28.46 kilograms was seized. Cases of Possession of suspected gold bearing material were opened at Bronville Police Station. The operation continued in in Welkom area and a 36 year old male was found busy in an open pit with illegal mining activity at ARM 7 near Phomolong. Gold bearing material weighing at 25.16 kilograms was seized. Patrols continued in Allenridge and the 30 year old foreign national was found busy processing gold bearing material on a makeshift slope table at the Rock Dump next to the Dam. Gold bearing material weighing at 12.30 kilograms was seized by the police. Case dockets of Possession of suspected gold bearing material with additional charge of Contravention of Immigration Act were opened at Welkom and Allenridge Police Station respectively.
The suspects will appear before court soon.
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