A 33-year-old illegal miner was arrested on Friday afternoon, after he was found in possession of 150 bags of gold dust with an estimated value of R200 000.
He was arrested near Shaft 11, between Golden Drive and New Modder Road.
According to Benoni SAPS spokesperson Lieut Nomsa Sekele, the arrest was made during a joint operation between police and security officers, hired by the mining company, Gravelot, in the wake of the spate of illegal miners in the area.
Sekele explained that after the discovery of the four bodies, on Thursday, February 5, a joint operation between police and security officers was initiated to prevent further incidents from taking place.
“While patrolling the area, the officers spotted the men, who ran away when they saw the police and security officers,” said Sekele.
“Only one remained behind in the bakkie, and upon searching the vehicle, officers found 48 bags filled with gold dust.”
The remaining 102 bags were found scattered all over the area.
The man was arrested and appeared in Benoni Magistrates Court on Monday.
In a separate incident, 10 miners were arrested when they were each found in possession of a bag of gold dust, on Monday, February 10.
The men were found in Central Shaft near Modderbee Correctional Centre, while police and security officers were patrolling the area.
“The incidents have become more frequent and so we have embarked in these joint operations to try and curb them,” said Sekele.
