Handful of suspected illegal-mining kingpins arrested
The arrests were carried out by the Hawks in the early hours of the morning and several high-performance vehicles were seized during the crackdown.
Law-enforcement agencies are pouncing on illegal miners in different parts of the West Rand and have arrested more than five suspects in Carletonville and Khutsong, believed to be illegal-mining kingpins.
Also read: Nine arrested for illegal mining in Ten Acres
The Hawks, joined by officials from the Department of Home Affairs, made the arrests in the early hours of October 4.
Also read: ‘Mining companies should take the blame’ – ANC about illegal mining in the West
Speaking to ENCA during the interview at the scene, West Rand District Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said, “Things are looking very good and it’s pleasing. I think everyone who didn’t have trust in the police, especially in the specialised units that might take some time to deal with cases, must feel humbled to say, ‘The police are there to serve and do what is expected of them’.
Also read: The fight against illegal mining gets momentum
“This operation by the Hawks shows that the police are doing the best they can with their resources.
“We will leave no stone unturned and to those who are still out there, either you hand yourself in or we will be knocking on your door,” said Kekana who added that investigations into more illegal mining activities are underway.
The suspects are believed to be from Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Law enforcement also seized several luxury high-performance vehicles during their operation.
Illegal mining has been a thorn in the side of the different communities on the West Rand, and numerous arrests have been made thus far.
Also read: Illegal mining clampdown in the West yields results: Arrests now total 130
The arrests were sparked by the incident in July, when eight woman were raped by a group of illegal miners in West Village in Krugersdorp while they were shooting a music video with their film crew.
