Members of all the relevant law-enforcement agencies descended upon the Matholesville informal settlement on Tuesday 16 July to close down yet another illegal mining operation.
In the words of the Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Operational Services in Gauteng, Phumzo Gela, “We’ll do this time and time again until illegal miners respect the laws of this country”.
The operation included extreme police visibility in the area, destroying illegal structures and making arrests as part of the nation-wide Operation Duty Calls initiative. The Record can confirm that some of the arrests made included foreigners.
Other role-players present were from the Department of Water, Department of Social Development, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Department of Home Affairs, Customs agents, mining authorities and Joburg Water.
Major General Reddy also made it clear that, “Wherever they [illegal miners] go, we will follow”.
He urged the public to report any illegal criminal activity to the SAPS – whether it pertains to drugs, illegal alcohol or illicit cigarettes – or to share information about such activities with the authorities to put a stop to it.
The public can contact 08600 1011 to report such crimes.
With the operation in Matholesville regarded a success, the police and other role-players decided to head to Durban Deep to investigate possible illegal activities. All arrests made on the day will be made public only at a later stage.
