Last weekend, Operation o kae molao continued, and this time they wanted to shine the spotlight on illegal mining in the Krugersdorp and Randfontein policing precincts. More specifically, they wanted to investigate the Makhulugama informal settlement in West Village.
According to a statement from the police, this was a very successful joint venture by the police and the Department of Home Affairs.
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The operation led to the arrest of 155 undocumented people, and two people were arrested for possession of explosives, one for possession of live ammunition and one for suspected bribery. They also recovered explosives, equipment that is used in illegal mining activities and gold-bearing material.
“Illegal mining and organised crime are interrelated. Very often, illegal mining is spearheaded by people who are indirectly involved in illegal activities themselves, thus the use of vulnerable groups such as undocumented foreign nationals, commonly known as zama-zamas,” said a statement from the police.
It explained that zama-zamas are often heavily armed, they have explosives and when they are trespassing on operating mines, they set ambushes and booby traps for employees, security personnel and rival groups.
During the operation, the police and other stakeholders confiscated 563 bags of gold-bearing material, 42 phendukas, 25 Alcad batteries, 27 gas bottles, four generators, 16 cutting torches, five hammers, 20 garden spades, one bush cutter, a quantity of alcohol and various explosives.
“Illegal mining brings a range of negative social ills with it and presents a serious risk to the safety of the surrounding communities” said the Visible Policing district commander, Brigadier Mashadi Selepe.
Apart from the operation, Selepe also met with mining companies and the importance of formulating the West Rand District Mining forum was pointed out.
The forum will look into the challenges that illegal mining brings to the area and also assist in combating these illegal mining activities.
“The police alone cannot address this challenge, thus collaboration is key” concluded Selepe.
