Illegal mining operation shut down
llegal miners and farm owner arrested in Heidelberg.
On July 17, a SAPS task team arrested 97 illegal miners and a farm owner on a farm in Heidelberg.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe, the task team received information that an illegal mining operation was being conducted in Heidelberg.
The address was raided and various mining equipment was confiscated.
Colonel Phiwe Ndwandwe, Heidelberg SAPS station commander, confirmed the arrests.
The arrested suspects vary in age between 18 and 35. It is suspected that all are Lesotho nationals and illegal immigrants.
In addition to the mining equipment, three unlicensed firearms and an undisclosed amount of ammunition were also confiscated.
The firearms have been sent for further tests to determine if they may have been used in other crimes.
The farm owner was also arrested and is facing further charges as there was illegal ammunition as well as mining equipment found on his property.
The suspects will appear in the Heidelberg Magistrate’s Court soon and face charges such as illegal mining, possession of illegal and unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and possession of illegal mining equipment.
Ndwandwe said no further details are available.
The task team comprised the national intervention unit, crime intelligence, detectives, public order policing, tactical response teams, bomb disposal teams and various other stakeholders in crime prevention.
