PILGRIM’S REST- An operation aimed at disrupting illicit mining activities led to the arrest of 24 suspects between 29 July to date.
Of the 24 suspects arrested, 12 were arrested for offences relating to illegal mining, while one suspect faces charges of assaulting police officers and resisting arrest.
A further 11 suspects, who were found to be undocumented illegal immigrants, are facing additional charges relating to illicit mining and possession of suspected gold-bearing material and equipment.
During the operations, police also discovered various items that had allegedly been abandoned at an illicit mining site. These included 27 pendukas, 147 steel balls, two water pumps, two cutting torches, two hammers, 10 head torches and one gas bottle. The recovered items were seized for further investigation.
The operations form part of SAPS ongoing efforts, together with relevant law enforcement stakeholders, to disrupt illicit mining activities and address criminal activities associated with illegal mining, including the exploitation of natural resources and possession of suspected gold-bearing material and equipment.
