PICS: Operation Shanela sweeps off 'zama zamas'

POLICE continue to make good progress in tracking down illegal mining.

This after Operation Shanela, which is focusing on illegal mining activities in Gauteng, nabbed more than 300 undocumented foreign nationals who are also suspected to be illegal miners. 

The suspects were arrested between Monday, 18 December and Friday, 22 December 2023.

Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said high calibre firearms, which included AK-47 rifles, were recovered.

“A substantial number of tools used for illegal mining, including gas cylinders, generators, and expolisives, were seized. Illegal mining sites were disrupted and dismantled.

“A multidisciplinary and integrated operation consisting of South African Police Service, South African National Defence Force, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Labour and other law enforcement descended on Primrose and Boksburg in Ekurhuleni district, Cleveland in Johannesburg district and Kagiso in West Rand district where illegal mining is rife and demolished such illegal activities,” he said.

The cops have confiscated tools for illegal mining, including gas cylinders, generators and explosives.

More than 300 undocumented foreign nationals who are also suspected to be illegal miners were detained.

The police have confiscated tools for illegal mining, including gas cylinders, generators and explosives.

Masondo said these disruptive operations will continue in Gauteng, and the police are calling on residents to report such activities as most of them are happening in their areas. 

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Meanwhile in Limpopo, the SAPS illegal mining task team and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members recovered suspected illegal mining equipment abandoned during their “Operation Vala Umgodi” at Xikukwani illegal mining area, under Mopani district on Thursday, 21 December.

Provincial police spokesman Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the members conducted an operation at Xikukwani and Mavalani illegal mining area, and equipment such as pendukas, four shovels, seven spades, six chisels, two gar cylinders, two cooking pots, a bag containing silver round balls used for crushing suspected precious minerals, a grinder, a hammer, and two long electric cables were found there.  

“On Friday, 22 December during the operation, three suspects aged between 24 and 46 were arrested for Contravention of the Immigration Act.

“All the suspects will appear in the Giyani Magistrates Court in due course. Police investigations are still ongoing,” he said.