ABOUT six illegal miners were caught red-handed processing gold-bearing material and were immediately arrested.
The zama zamas, aged between 22 and 68, were arrested on Batavia Farm in Dwaalboom outside Thabazimbi, Limpopo on Thursday, 10 August.
The arrests were made following intelligence from the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Polokwane in collaboration with the Illegal Mining Task Team, Waterberg District Police and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, who were conducting an operation on the farm.
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Limpopo Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Matimba Maluleke said the Hawks' persistence in fighting the scourge of illegal mining in Limpopo continues to yield good results following the arrest of the suspected illegal miners on the farm.
“When the team arrived, the suspected illegal miners were busy processing gold bearing material. Permits were asked for but the suspects could not produce any, so they were immediately arrested,” he said.
Maluleke said during the operation, the team managed to seize mining equipment such as six jackhammers, four generators, three engine pumps, two spades, one grinder, two welders, one electric extension cord, six hammers, one shovel, two saws, two pangas, two Bobejaan spanners, three spanners, four drills and a pick with an estimated value of more than R215 450.
“All the arrested suspects will appear before the Thabazimbi Magistrates Court on Monday, 14 August to answer charges of illegal mining,” he said.
