Following an update published on August 11, which uncovered the dangers illegal mining operations pose on the Florida community, more operations were held.
The week of August 8 saw several units deployed to multiple locations where suspected illegal mining takes place. Residents of areas such as CRG Mines, Randleases Hostel, Fleurhof, New Canada, Jerusalema, and Eitemal saw several arrests made.
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In New Canada, over 20 illegal mining holes were closed at Esperanza and Florida police remain hard at work to eradicate these unlawful extraction activities.
On August 10, the provincial Operation Shanela, which is Zulu for “to sweep”, was held with a focus on illegal mining, illegal immigrants, and second-hand goods with one illegal miner being arrested for possession of illegal mining equipment, another was arrested for possession of drugs, another one for being in possession of stolen good and selling liquor without a license. A total of 57 illegal immigrants were arrested during the operation.
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August 11 saw another operation that focused on illegal immigrants, drugs, trio crimes, contact crimes, and property-related crimes while the week of August 14 and August 15 saw another two operations take place, all in efforts to expunge unauthorised mining.
More updates to follow.