RUSTENBURG - Firearms and gold dust were recovered and 20 people arrested in Klerksdorp, North West police said on Friday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh said the suspects were arrested during a stabilisation operation on Thursday.
She said 15 people were arrested for illicit mining at Shaft 3 in Orkney. During the arrest, the police seized various equipment as well as gold dust.
In Khuma, police went to a premises where a house and Toyota Quantum vehicle were searched.
"It was during the search that five suspects were arrested, while 2 140 kilogrammes of suspected stolen copper cable, as well as equipment used to cut copper cables, were confiscated.
"Three firearms - two shotguns and a revolver - were also confiscated during the operation. It was established that one of the shotguns was allegedly stolen during a burglary in Wilkoppies, Klerksdorp, between 12 and 15 October 2018. Further investigation revealed that the second shotgun was allegedly taken during a house robbery committed in Flamwood, also in Klerksdorp, in the early hours of the morning on Monday, 15 October 2018."
In Brits meanwhile, 120 people were arrested during stabilisation operations between October 10-14 for various offences.
A total of 29 people were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor, 63 for drinking in public, 19 for drug-related offences, six for sexual offences, one for common robbery and one for contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, she said.