Operation Knock Out, which has successfully been fighting and eradicating the scourge of illegal mining in Lejweleputswa for years, continues to notch major successes to its belt.
The project started on 1 July 2019 and operatives of the Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Policing (POP), and private security, such as Harmony and Protea Security, work together to eradicate illegal mining in the district, says Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, provincial police spokesperson.
On 15 August, at about 10:00, the Knock Out team, together with private security, conducted a disruptive action on information they had received about a suspected smelt-house in Virginia.
The teams tactically approached and entered the house and nine men, aged between 25 and 49, who were busy processing gold were arrested for acquisition, possession, and disposal of unwrought precious metal (gold beads), and two counts of contravention of the Immigration Act.
Equipment seized included two heating pans, one self-made phenduka (hand-driven cylinder), two self-made phenduka stands, a pickaxe, oxygen cylinders, and acetylene cylinders. Gold worth an estimated R15 000 was seized.
The same day, at about 15:30, the Knock Out team members together with private security reacted to information from the intelligence team. This related to an Odendaalsrus case of a wanted suspect who allegedly had been involved in a robbery with a firearm.
The team proceeded to Bronville’s Tjovitjo informal settlement, where a 29-year-old man was found and arrested. After going through the property, members found an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as a bulletproof vest.
The Knock Out team members, together with private security, conducted an illicit mining disruptive action and reacted on information about illicit trade taking place at an old shaft in the Welkom vicinity.
The old shaft was tactically approached and the entrance was found barricaded with rocks. The team swiftly managed to gain entry and arrested seven African men, aged between 25 and 64 years, for possession of possible gold bearing material (GBM), trespassing, and one count of contravention of the Immigration Act.
Operation Knock Out is a sister operation to the Vala Umgodi Operation, and runs parallel to Vala Umgodi in the fight against illicit mining, both in Lejweleputswa and surrounding areas, says Kareli.
