Swift action by police members led to the arrest of three undocumented foreign nationals in Hani Park, Welkom, and eight other suspects, all associated with illegal mining in the Welkom area.
The three foreign nationals (aged 20, 46, and 53 years) were found in possession of copper cables, gold-bearing material, and a weapons in Hani Park.
On Thursday, 10 October, information received by members of a joint police action led to the house in Hani Park.
A group of men managed to flee the scene. A search was, however, conducted on the premises and two men were arrested for possession of copper cables and gold-bearing material, as well as illegal immigration.
A third suspect was apprehended for possession of a dangerous weapon.
The police seized copper cables with an estimated weight of 100 kg and two bags of gold-bearing material, with an estimated weight of 100 kg.
On Wednesday, 9 October, members of the Operation Vala uMgodi combat team arrested a 41-year-old man in Annacath Street, Naudeville, Welkom. He was found in possession of one phenduka, a 9 kg gas cylinder, an oxygen cylinder, steel burner pans, stumping tools, a bottle containing mercury, and gold-bearing material weighing 154.40 kg.
The proactive team arrested a 60-year-old male in Phomolong in possession of gold-bearing material weighing 5.10 kg.
Two separate cases were opened at the Welkom Police Station and the suspects were detained in police custody.
Concerted efforts by the police and officials of private security companies led to the arrest of six more suspects at Kopanong Mine.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 41 years, surfaced from underground illegal mining. This was as a result of a multi-disciplinary clampdown and cut-off of the food supply intended for underground illegal miners.
These suspects were arrested for illegal mining, trespassing on mine property, the attempted theft of state minerals and precious metals, as well as the contravention of the Immigration Act.
