POLICE send a clear message to zama zamas.
The mining equipment seized from them are being reduced to metal dust.
Generators and other items that were gathering dust at the police stations in Ekurhuleni were milled into pieces.
The items were confiscated from illegal mining operations.
The equipment were taken to Reclaim Metal in Dunswart, Benoni to be destroyed.
Captain Nelda Sekgobela said the equipment were collected from Boksburg, Germiston, Alberton, Daveyton and Putfontein police stations.
"Penduka pots and generators weighing 14 823kg were grinded into pieces," Sekgobela said.
The operation started on Friday, 21 July and was led by Ekurhuleni district visible policing commander, Colonel Alistair Subramanian.
Subramanian urged community members to report any information that might lead to the arrests of the suspects responsible for illegal mining activities in Ekurhuleni.
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Sekgobela said this will be an ongoing operation.
"We are on the path to fight illegal mining and we asked communities to work with us."
Benoni, Boksburg, Springs are some of the illegal mining hotpots in Ekurhuleni.
But some residents are skeptical.
"They confiscate, but after few days these illegal miners will come back. But we believe that the continuous efforts of the police will eventually lead to stopping these activities," said one of the residents.
Some residents at Everest squatter camp said the activities by the illegal miners has led to the area having lots of man-made dams.
"They dig everywhere and when it rains, water piles up, leading to our kids drowning because the digging is just behind our shacks. There's little you can say because these guys are heavily armed and dangerous," said a resident.
