In the early hours of Friday, 01 December 2023, the District Commissioner of Sekhukhune, Major General Junior Lehabe-Metsi joined by SAPS members from various stations and units, SANDF members, Private Securities, Department of Minerals and Energy, Department of Transport, Home Affairs and other stakeholders embarked on an illegal mining disruptive operation.
The concept of the operation was based on illegal miners at Sekhukhune District, respectively at Apel, Mecklenburg, Driekop and Burgersfort policing area.
A total of 57 suspects were caught mining illegally in separate incidents at the said areas, others were arrested during roadblock, stop and searches in the identified hotspot areas.
Successes were reached as follows:
Illegal mining-57
Undocumented persons-18
Suspected stolen property-1
Expired food-1
Liquor Act 3/2- shebeens closed
Road Traffic Act 16
Drive under the influence of alcohol 1
Trademark 1
Fire Arm Control Act 1
Second-hand goods 1
During the arrest, one truck, two firearms, one excavator, 33 generators, 61 wheelbarrows, three Jack hammers, 25 shovels, and two electric cords, which are two electric drills, eight spades, forty-two chisels, one punch, two grinders, one of torch, two headlamps, one cell phone and 340.500 Litres of alcohol were seized.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has highly appreciated the efforts by all the stakeholders who participated in the operation, which led to the significant results. “This is a sign that as a team we will always win against criminals, let’s keep on supporting each other and protect the minerals of this province and ensure safety to our citizens,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The arrested suspects will soon appear before various magistrate courts.
The Police investigations are still continuing.
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