Zama zamas nabbed in ‘major’ operation targeting illegal mining
Seven alleged illegal miners have been arrested and had their mining equipment seized in a "major operation" against illegal mining in Boksburg.
The almost two-hour long joint crime operation by the Boksburg police, community patrollers, DTF Security and Amapogo Protection Services targeted illegal miners in the Cason area at a goldfield, on Thursday morning, July 14.
The groups of illegal miners, known as zama zamas, ran helter-skelter as the team was approaching their workplace, along Cason Road, but the patrollers and officers pursued them down the field – and managed to arrest seven of them.
The apprehended illegal miners were identified as citizens of Lesotho.
Their mining tools, including shovels, spades, pickaxes and buckets were seized during the sweeping crackdown on illegal mining.
They have all been charged with illegal mining and are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court soon.
Both the police and the security company involved in the fight against illegal mining said they believe that such operations struck a major blow to the activities of the different gangs involved in illegal mining in the city.
DTF’s Duncan Horne said his company has undertaken to support the police and other law enforcement agencies because they believe that an area with the lowest crime rates attracts more business investors – who henceforth boost the economy of that particular area. -@FanieFLK
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