Local crime unit clamps down on illegal mining in Primrose
Trio Task Team members, Bad Boys Security and Blue Hawk Tactical were part of the operations.
The Ekurhuleni District Crime Intelligence’s members oversaw operations aimed at halting illegal mining in Primrose on August 9.
Trio Task Team members, Bad Boys Security and Blue Hawk Tactical were part of the operations.
“We had information on a suspect’s whereabouts, and when we approached the suspect’s home, four men were there.
“One was sitting with a 303 rifle and eight live rounds.
“Some 13 bags of gold-bearing soil were seized from their property, leading to the arrest of all four,” said the SAPS Ekurhuleni district communications officer, Captain Neldah Sekgobela.
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“The person in possession of the weapon attempted to bribe the police in exchange for their release, but officers declined.”
Ekurhuleni district commissioner Major General Anna Sithole commended the members for their response and for following up on the information from concerned community members, thereby addressing the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in the district.
When the EMPD units under specialised services, the SAPS, Gauteng Crime Prevention wardens and PRASA conducted operations the day before between 9:00 and 15:00, they seized several illegal mining tools.
“During the operation at the Makause informal settlement, we discovered 14 phendukas, seven hammer crushers, four pot crushers, a generator, seven municipal dustbins, other mining equipment and liquor in an abandoned shack,” said EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Kelebogile Thepa.
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“The confiscated goods were booked in at the Primrose Police Station for safekeeping,” she said.
“Makause is a hotspot for harbouring illegal miners. The law enforcers searched several dwellings for illegal mining supplies.
On seeing the officers’ presence, we found several vacant dwellings. However, the officers were hot on their trails.
“This is an ongoing operation throughout Ekurhuleni to ensure the Zama Zamas are brought to book,” said Thepa.
