- Six people have been arrested for trespassing, and four for illegal immigration
- Attempted murder, and robberies which are committed by mostly zama-zamas
- The police have confiscated 180,26 kg of abandoned gold-bearing material
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Six people have been arrested for trespassing, and four for illegal immigration. Additionally, the police have confiscated 180,26 kg of abandoned gold-bearing material during an illicit mining operation at the Beatrix, Joel, and Oryx gold mines near Theunissen.
“This successful, illicit mining operation was conducted to target illegal miners and undocumented persons, search mine premises for gold bearing materials, and ensure safety on unused mine premises,” says Capt. Stephen Thekeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
The operation started on Thursday (25/05), from 05:00 until 13:00. The hot spots were shaft numbers 1, 3, and 4 at the Beatrix mine, and shaft 4 at the Oryx mine.
The operation was led by Col Senobia Solomonthe, station commander of Virginia, and Capt. Thobile Majikela, the acting station commander of Theunissen.
The units and stakeholders involved were Theunissen police, Virginia police, the Knock Out Team (illegal gold unit), Tactical Response team, Crime Intelligence, Theunissen Detective Services, Welkom K9 unit, police air wing, Protea Security tactical team, Beatrix Mine security, and Protea Coin security.
“These kinds of operations will continue to be conducted to curb the theft of copper cable, attempted murder, and robberies which are committed by mostly zama-zamas and foreign nationals,” says Thakeng.
