Authories establishes partnership in a bid to eradicate illegal mining activities
Several entities are conducting daily operations in informal settlements which have been deemed hotspots for illegal mining activities – among other criminalities.
Florida police are on a mission to eradicate illegal mining activities within the area and have embarked on high-density operations over the week of August 29 to September 4 targeting hotspot areas such as Jerusalema and New Canada informal settlements.
The ongoing illegal mining issue takes a toll on surrounding communities with residents saying they must endure never-ending gun fights and explosions while fearing for their lives and that of their families.
August 29 saw several warrants of arrest issued for illegal immigrants which saw nine Lesotho, Mozambican, and Zimbabweans arrested with confiscation of drugs and illegal mining equipment housed at a nearby site indicating their involvement in illegal mining.
• Also read: More arrests as illegal mining activities continue
Seven grams of crystal meth worth R350 were discovered and seized in Jerusalema informal settlement, and mining equipment such as pendukas, picks, spades, jigsaws, mining steel balls, gas cylinder valves, and steel irons were recovered and collected as evidence, while in New Canada 12 750ml beer, six 750ml milk stout contained in a cooler box were also found.
August 30 saw Florida police, the West Rand K9 Unit, Crime Prevention Wardens, JMPD and security companies participate in an operation and according to Colonel Tsotetsi, the Florida Police Station Commander, members of the National Intervention Unit patrolled Stormill and uncovered some hidden dangers.
“In New Canada, we discovered one R5 rifle with 11 live rounds. The gun was reported stolen at Kagiso Police Station. We’ve also discovered a shotgun with 28 live rounds, which has been reported stolen at Swartruggens Police Station,” Tsotsetsi said.
During these operations, five Nigerian nationals were apprehended in a drug-related matter where authorities uncovered 20g of crystal meth worth R2 000 and issued arrest warrants for trio crimes and contravention of the trafficking act. On September 4 several suspects were arrested at Florida Lake during stop and searches carried out by CPW.
