South African police arrested 38 people during an overnight operation targeting illicit mining in Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga, authorities said, as police stepped up efforts to disrupt illegal mining and related criminal activity in the province.
The operation began at midnight on Sept. 13 and resulted in the arrest of 36 people in connection with the possession of gold-bearing material, gold bearing equipment and illegal mining. Two others were arrested for allegedly contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act.
Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, a police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, said authorities had determined that the 36 suspects arrested in connection with illicit mining were foreign nationals who were not in possession of valid documentation to remain in South Africa.
Police seized six 12.5-kilogram bags containing gold bearing material, as well as equipment believed to have been used in illegal mining operations. The confiscated items included 10 head torches, a steel ball, a pick, two hammers, three iron rods, a chisel, three phendukas, a knife and a cellphone.
The suspects are expected to appear soon before the Pilgrim’s Rest Periodical Court on charges including illegal mining, possession of gold-bearing material and gold bearing equipment, as well as contravention of the Immigration Act.
Detectives are working with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to establish the immigration status of those arrested, Nonyane-Mpe said.
The arrests form part of a broader police effort to tackle illicit mining in Mpumalanga, where authorities say illegal mining is linked to other forms of criminality and threatens lawful economic activity.
Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, commended police officers involved in the operation.
Illicit mining remains a serious concern as it fuels other forms of criminality and undermines lawful economic activity.
Modise said police would continue conducting operations to disrupt illegal mining, seize equipment used by illegal miners and bring those involved to justice.
The provincial commissioner also urged communities to cooperate with police by providing information that could help authorities combat illicit mining and associated crimes.