The Vala uMgodi team has arrested 19 foreign national suspects for illicit mining related offences.
On Thursday, 8 May, during patrols at Target 1 Slimes Dam area, Kudu Old Mine, St Helena 3 Shaft, Western Holdings 5,
St Helena 3 Shaft and Beatrix Mine Shaft 2, a total of 14 of the suspects, aged between 19 and 42 were found busy with land surface, pit or open cast illegal mining activities. The police seized gold bearing material weighing 346,05 kg.
“They also confiscated processing equipment,” says Lt. Col Thabo Covane, Free State police spokesperson.
At Kopanang Mine, collaboration between the Bomb Disposal and Explosives Experts unit and a specialised security company led to the arrest of two Basotho nationals. Covane says two Basotho nationals who resurfaced at Masimong Mine 5 Shaft were apprehended. Another suspect, a Zimbabwean, was also arrested after resurfacing at Beatrix Mine.
Suspects were charged with, among others, attempt to steal state minerals and conspiracy to assist illegal underground miners.
