illegal miners Mpumalanga

Limpopo: Dozens of suspected illegal miners arrested in operations
Photo source: Flickr

More than 270 suspected illegal miners arrested in operation

Nearly of half of the alleged zama-zamas are foreign nationals who authorities suspect are in the country illegally

illegal miners Mpumalanga

Limpopo: Dozens of suspected illegal miners arrested in operations
Photo source: Flickr

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga says 271 suspected illegal miners have been arrested during an operation in Ermelo.

According to SAPS Mpumalanga spokesperson Selvy Mohlala, those arrested include 30 Zimbabwean nationals, 92 Mozambican nationals, 11 Kingdom of Eswatini nationals as well as 138 South African nationals.

“The police from Gert Sibande District led an operation which comprised of different police disciplines that included, Ermelo SAPS, SAPS National Intervention Unit, Ermelo K9, SAPS Air Wing, Department of Home Affairs and local security companies. The team managed to confiscate one front loader, three trucks, six bakkies, wheelbarrows and other implements which are believed to be used in the illegal mining operations. The trucks and bakkies were reportedly loaded with coal,” Mohlala said.

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SUSPECTS CHARGED FOR ILLEGAL MINING

SAPS Mpumalanga says the suspected zama-zamas were arrested subsequently charged with illegal mining. Authorities will also look into whether the foreign nationals are in the country illegally.

“All the arrested suspects were charged with illegal mining and further investigation will be conducted with the Department of Home Affairs about the foreign nationals legality in the Republic,” Mohlala said.

SAPS Mpumalanga Commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has lauded officers for the arrests and warned other illegal miners that similar operations will be carried out throughout the province.

“Police in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders as well as other governmental organisations will continue to fight illegal mining activities which are aimed at collapsing the country’s economy,” she said.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has warned that illegal mining poses a major threat to national security and socio-economic development if it isn’t addressed.

“This criminal activity is in contravention of our laws and forms part of many other economic related crimes that are afflicting our society. Illegal mining is associated with very serious crimes such as illicit financial flows and high levels of violence, including gender-based violence and femicide. Furthermore, we have witnessed human trafficking, smuggling of weapons, and explosives linked to this crime,” Mantashe once said.