A successful sweep was held through known illegal open-cast mining areas in the Goldfields.
The police’s combat and proactive teams deployed as part of Operation Vala uMgodi, conducted bush patrols and five suspects, aged between 26 and 47 years, were arrested in the Odendaalsrus district.
During the first patrol at the pits around the sewage dam, the operators found two men processing gold-bearing material, and arrested them.
They confiscated two phendukas with a stand, seven steel balls, a manual crusher, and a sieve. Gold-bearing material weighing at 14.02 kg was seized.
Three other suspects were arrested in the same area and were found in possession of gold-bearing material weighing at 9.22 kg and 8.06 kg.
Cases of possession of suspected gold-bearing material and gold-processing equipment, with an additional charge of contravention of the Immigration Act were opened at the Odendaalsrus Police Station.
