The arrest of suspected illegal miners has been welcomed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
Several high-calibre weapons were recovered along with the arrests after an operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks in Stilfontein, Northwest province.
“We commend the collaboration between the SAPS and the Hawks for a successful bust of such a serious criminal operation. We are confident that the arrested suspects will face the full might of the law and hope for a successful prosecution,” the department said in a statement.
The department said that illegal mining is a criminal activity that not only bleeds the economy but also compromises national security and the integrity of our infrastructure.
“The scourge of illegal mining, regardless of where it is being conducted, is of grave concern to the government. It is for this reason that the DMRE supports the efforts of law enforcement agencies and mining industry stakeholders to eliminate illegal mining activities,” added the statement.
Yesterday, SAPS reported that the North West Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, assisted by members of the Hawks' Tactical Management Section, Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, District Illegal Mining Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Bidvest Protea Coin, and Harmony Gold mine, embarked on an early morning raid at a mine shaft in Stilfontein.
The operation resulted in the arrest of twenty suspects, the seizure of fifteen AK47s, six hunting rifles, two shotguns and one R5, boxes full of ammunition, explosives and an undisclosed amount of money.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said that the suspects are expected to make their first appearance before the Stilfontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 12 October, and facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition and contravention of the immigration act.