Operation Vala uMgodi Combat operators received a tip-off from a community member about illegal mining activities in Thabong Extension 13 outside Welkom. The team followed up the information, and the identified house was searched. During the search, the police found three crushable pots and seized two gold bearing amalgam nuggets. The 54-year-old foreign national was placed under arrest, and a case of possession of suspected gold bearing material with added charge of contravention of Immigration Act was opened at Thabong police station.
Disruptive actions against illicit mining activities continued in identified hotspot areas. Proactive operators patrolled and arrested two African males found busy with illegal mining activities in Stone and Allied area. The suspects aged, 35 and 40, were found in possession of gold bearing material weighing at 34.22 kilograms and gold processing equipment; basins modified to help with separation process, steel plates, garden spade and others items.
Another arrest was made in Western Holdings 05 Old. The 42-year-old African male was found in possession of a hammer, gwala, pick axe, a shovel and gold bearing material weighing at 13.16 kilograms. Cases of possession of suspected gold bearing material; gold processing equipment with additional charge of contravention of Immigration Act were opened at Welkom police station.
Suspects will appear before court soon.
