Mine boss trio remanded in custody until 29 January
The fight against illegal mining in the province was taken to another level with the recent arrests of three mine managers (owners), said the police on Saturday.
LIMPOPO -The accused in the matter have appeared before the Mecklenburg Magistrates Court earlier today and were all remanded in custody until Monday 29 January 2018 for a formal bail application.
The three men (aged between 42 and 60) are the alleged owners at the Klipham mine situated next to Marula mine at Madikana village outside Burgersfort. They were arrested on Friday during Operation “Close Illegal Mining” for operating with an alleged fraudulent license, Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said.
Three mine bosses arrested, mining machinery confiscated during Operation “Close Illegal Mining”
LIMPOPO – These accused (aged between 47 and 60) reportedly own the Klipham mine which is situated next to Marula mine at Madikana village outside Burgersfort.
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“They have been operating with an alleged fraudulent license for some time and after meticulous investigations, conducted by members of the Organized Crime Unit, they were arrested on Friday afternoon during Operation “Close Illegal Mining”,” Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said.
This provincial operation, led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Detective Services, Major General Bafana Linda, was conducted by members from the Public Order Police, Provincial Detectives, the Airwing, Organized Crime, Local Criminal Record Center, Visible Policing and officials from the DMR (Department of Mineral Resources).
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During the operation mining machinery worth millions of rand were also confiscated, Mojapelo added.
These included the following:
• 1× 05 Scania trucks horse and trailers
•2× Bell trucks
•1× Compressor generator
• 4× Front end loader
• 2× Excavators
• 2× Tata Trucks
• 1× Compressor generator
• 1× Dissel Tank and
• 1 laptop and printer
The arrested suspects will appear before the Burgersfort Magistrates Court soon.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has commended all the members involved for their sterling performance in ridding this province of any act of illegal mining.
