ONE illegal miner was fatally shot, while 46 others were arrested during an operation by the Hawks in Krugersdorp, west of Joburg on Tuesday afternoon, 2 August.
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase said in their ongoing efforts to end illegal mining in Gauteng, the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in the West Rand together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) Airwing, K9 unit and other law enforcement agencies executed a joint operation that resulted in resounding success.
He said the search and seizure operation, which was attended by Police Minister Bheki Cele, accompanied by Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, Hawks Gauteng head Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa and West Rand police commander Major-General Kekana, was carried out simultaneously on eight premises in Krugersdorp and Randfontein.
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“A total of 46 suspects were arrested and one fatally wounded. The suspects included foreigners from neighbouring countries and their status in the country is now a subject of an ongoing investigation,” said Nkwalase.
He said about 700 tons of gold-bearing material surpassing R2,5 million was found in five of the illegal plants uncovered and 20 cellphones were seized for further investigation.
Nkwalase said: “The suspects are expected to appear in court soon to face the charges that include contravention of Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005, Mining Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996, theft, Mineral and Petroleum Recourses Development Act 28 of 2002 and possibly Immigrations Act 13 of 2002.”
The operation follows an outcry from the public after a group of women were gang raped by a group of illegal miners wearing Basotho blankets in an abandoned mine in Krugersdorp on Thursday, 28 July.
