The current situation in the mining areas surrounding Randfontein has become a serious concern for the Randfontein Police.
According to the police spokesperson, Captain Appel Ernst, five alleged illegal miners were killed during the past two weeks, while a number of others sustained gunshot wounds. It is alleged that the deaths are related to two feuding groups of illegal miners in the Cooke Plant area.
“This situation cannot and will not be tolerated by the police; therefore crime prevention initiatives to curb these attacks have been instituted,” said Ernst.
The Randfontein Crime Prevention unit, in conjunction with other units around the province and mine security personnel have decided to patrol the areas affected on a regular basis.
On Thursday evening, 16 November 2017 from 10pm to midnight the first of these operations was conducted. No incidents were reported. Similar activities will continue, in order to address the murders in the mining areas.
During the pre-patrol parade, the Randfontein station commander, Brigadier Manamela, stressed the fact that the members and officials must be safety conscious.
“Let us make the mining area a safer place. If you find any illegal person on mine property, do not hesitate to arrest that person. Be safe and be vigilant,” he said.
The police are also calling on community members to assist them with information. Anyone with information can contact the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line 32211 to report crime anonymously.
Assist the Gauteng Police to fight fraud, corruption, unethical behavior or any other suspicious activities that could be detrimental to their success by phoning the Gauteng Standby Provincial Duty numbers: Duty General 082 313 8299 or Duty Brigadier 082 444 4354.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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