Randfontein Police achieved a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal mining last week.
Seventeen people were arrested following a joint mining operation conducted by members of the police, Sibanye Gold Protection and Fidelity between 4pm and midnight on Friday, 17 August.
Also read: Illegal mining in Toekies exposed
Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson, said the main aim was to concentrate on the illegal mining aspect of the area surrounding the Cooke Plant.
According to Ernst, the 17 arrests were made for crimes such as illegal mining; possession of ammunition; possession of a dangerous weapon, and possession of marijuana. They also managed to apprehend 11 undocumented persons and a large quantity of 9mm and shotgun rounds were confiscated, as well as knives and mining tools.
“This comes after an attack by approximately 50 illegal miners at Sheltam Company, situated in this area. The illegal miners damaged property and took goods, causing huge losses to the company,” Ernst said.
Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander who leads the team, expressed his appreciation towards all the officers involved.
“More operations of this nature will be conducted in future to address illegal mining and the crimes that flow from it, such as robberies and murders,” Manamela said.
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