The SAPS in Limpopo arrested 24 illegal miners who are expected in court on 21 July. Photo: photony1 and Charlotte Fortin / Flickr
SAPS arrest illegal miners in Limpopo – 22 are undocumented immigrants
Limpopo SAPS arrested 24 illegal miners in the Sekhukhune District and confiscated equipment and over R16 000 in cash.
The SAPS in Limpopo arrested 24 illegal miners who are expected in court on 21 July. Photo: photony1 and Charlotte Fortin / Flickr
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has confirmed the arrests of 24 illegal miners at Apel in the Sekhukhune District.
22 out of the 24 suspects are in SA illegally
The suspects are aged between 19 and 54 years old. SAPS revealed that 22 of the arrested individuals were found to be illegally in South Africa. These individuals will face additional charges of contravening the country’s Immigration Act.
Along with the arrests the SAPS confiscated 13 jackhammers, seven buckets, one generator, 11 shovels, three electrical cords, chrome and a cash amount of R16 450.
The 24 suspects are expected to appear before the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 21 July. They are facing charges of illegal mining, possession of suspected illegal mining equipment and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Police Commissioner commends the efforts of the members
The SAPS Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the success of the operation and further commended the efforts of all the members involved.
“Community members are warned to desist from engaging in these illegal activities. The Police will persistently conduct similar operations in all affected areas with the aim of bringing perpetrators to book. I, therefore, appeal to members of the community to report these illegal activities immediately to the police,”
said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Farm owner and 97 illegal immigrants arrested in Heidelberg
In related news, it was previously reported that a 62-year-old farm owner and 97 illegal miners were arrested in Heidelberg, Gauteng. An intelligence-driven operation consisting of various specialised units in the South African Police Service (SAPS) swooped in on a farm where the illegal miners had been operating from.
The intelligence team reportedly seized mining equipment and implements and also discovered that all the suspects between the ages of 18 and 35 are Lesotho nationals and the majority were in the country illegally.
Three unlicensed firearms and 570 rounds of ammunition were also seized. Police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe said the firearms have been taken in for Ballistic testing to determine if they were utilised in any other crimes. Read the full story here.
