THE quest to eradicate illegal mining continues.
On Tuesday, 1 November, De Deur police arrested five zama zamas in the area.
The suspects, aged between 16 and 39, were bust for illegal mining and being illegal in the country at Doornkuil Plots.
Sergeant Gertrude Makgale said the Gauteng Flying Squad Unit, Crime Intelligence Unit and Crime Prevention Unit activated an operation that resulted in the arrests.
“On arrival in the area where illegal mining was conducted, suspects fled in different directions unaware that police already cordoned off the area. All five suspects were arrested at the plot,” she said.
Makgale said after a thorough interview by police, it was detected that the suspects were foreigners with no documentation that allowed them to be in the country.
“Police also seized equipment they used to carry out their illegal mining activities,” said Makgale.
Sedibeng district police commissioner Major-General Zodwa Molefe commended the team work from various units within her policing area in the fight against crime.
The arrested suspects will appear in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court this week.
