During August, Operation Knockout hit hard in Matjhabeng with 366 people being arrested for crimes that ranged from armed robbery to illegal immigration, and being in possession of gold-bearing material.
Operation Knockout, in the fight against illicit mining, has brought back the authority of the state in Lejweleputswa and surrounding areas.
“The disruptive, multidisciplinary operation reacts on information about illicit trade taking place at any shaft in the Welkom vicinity, and this is what makes the project a success. Old shafts are tactically approached and the suspects are arrested while in the act of illegal mining,” says Capt. Lorraine Earle, spokesperson for the Free State police.
The arrests that were affected include an armed robbery, two assaults on a police official, three cases of corruption and Crimen Injuria, dealing in dagga, possession of drugs, four counts of defeating the ends of justice, nine counts of fraud, 28 instances of illegal trespassing, 76 cases referring to the possession of gold-bearing material, and 235 cases of illegal immigration.
Confiscations done by the police include home-made equipment used in illegal mining, gold-bearing material, drugs such as Mandrax, dagga and crystal meth, as well as money acquired in the selling of drugs. The team also cleaned the streets of undocumented people who were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs.
The Knockout team continues unabated to make Lejweleputswa safe from illicit mining while also working as a force multiplier for local police stations in the area. The operation continues, says Earle
