Undocumented foreign nationals arrested at abandoned mine in North West

A total of 82 suspected undocumented individuals were arrested at an abandoned mine and buildings in the North West over the course of two days this week, in a series of coordinated operations by law enforcement agencies led by the Illicit Mining Task Team.

According to police reports, the operation, aimed at curbing illicit activities and enforcing immigration laws, sought to uphold the integrity of the state’s borders.

Abandoned mine

Police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, said the task team raided an abandoned mine site in Stilfontein on Tuesday.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the team apprehended a group of 24 suspects believed to be citizens of Lesotho”.

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“Their lack of proper documentation was brought to the attention of the Department of Home Affairs.

Subsequently, on Thursday, 17 August 2023, the suspects appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court to face charges related to their unlawful presence in the country.

“Notably, one of the apprehended individuals was found to be in possession of illegal ammunition, further outlining the seriousness of the operation,” she confirmed.

Myburgh said the joint operation was a result of the collaboration of various law enforcement units, including the National Intervention Unit (NIU), K9, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Policing (POP), the Department of Home Affairs, and mine security.

Phase two

A second raid was conducted on Wednesday in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. Police K9 unit, Mounted Unit, TRT, Flying Squad, POP, and Visible Policing units converged on Potchefstroom Wandellaan, where they searched residential buildings in the area.

“Through searches of targeted buildings, a total of 58 suspected undocumented individuals, primarily of Malawian origin, were apprehended,” Myburgh said.

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