Media told to back off during illegal mining operation

Members of the media were told to pull back while police continued with an operation focusing on illegal mining in Benoni around 1pm today (March 8).

The latest operation was conducted in the area between Golden Drive and New Modder Road, following the discovery of 14 bodies on March 5 and 6, suspected to be illegal miners.

During the operation today, police arrested 14 men on suspicion of illegal mining and confiscated mining and blasting equipment, as well as a makeshift firearm.

Police told the City Times they have conducted at least two such operations per week in the Benoni area recently.

Over the past 10 months, they reportedly seized around 3 000 phendukas (a bowl used for sifting gold particles from soil).

Benoni Police Station commander, Brig Johan Jacobs said an area of about 24 square kilometres in the Benoni SAPS precinct is known for frequent illegal mining activity.