Police in Reiger Park raided illegal mining sites within the Reiger Park policing precinct on September 19.
The operation led to the discovery of illegal weapons, suspected stolen money and the arrest of a group of alleged illegal miners.
According to Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson Constable Johannes Msimanga, the team blitzed the disused mine property in the veld along Commissioner Street where they managed to arrest six illegal mining suspects who were also found to be in the country illegally.
They also seized mining equipment, including 11 shovels, a wheelbarrow and cast grinding steel balls that are used in pendukas.
The intelligence-driven operation led police to a shack used as an illegal mining processing plant in the nearby Slovo informal settlement. Here they pounced on four suspected illegal miners. The four reportedly tried to evade arrest as they started to run away but the police gave chase and arrested them.
A search was conducted and officers found two firearms – a rifle with its magazine loaded with live ammunition, and a loaded pistol with its serial number filled off. The suspects were also found in possession of R9250. The banknotes were stained with traces of ink.
Police suspect that the money was stolen during an ATM bombing that occurred a few months ago in Reiger Park.
The suspects were expected to appear at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.
The scourge of illegal mining in Boksburg was recently highlighted by the gas leak which claimed at least 17 lives in Angelo informal settlement.
The identified mining sites in Boksburg have also recently seen a series of deadly shootings, believed to be violent turf wars between rival zama zama gangs.
Speaking to journalists at the gas leak scene, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi called on law enforcement officials to come up with improved strategies to tackle illegal mining activities in the province.
He said the country is using outdated law enforcement mechanisms in a new era that needs new forms of law enforcement.
“This thing of illegal mining is completely out of control. Zama zamas are keeping the country under siege, particularly in Gauteng. We must overhaul our law enforcement response.
“I am calling for a completely new strategy in confronting this crime wave. A strategy that is well-resourced and the capability of our law enforcement that is at a higher level, and the need to respond in a manner that is as if we are in a war zone.”
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