Thirty illegal miners arrested during disruptive operations

NORTH WEST – In an effort to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the North West, the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by the Hawks Tactical Operations Management Section, Local Criminal Record Centre, Explosives Unit, Illegal Mining Task Team, National Intervention Unit, ER24, Harmony Gold mine and Bidvest Protea Coin conducted a disruptive operation in the early hours of Friday at the Scott Shaft in Stilfontein, which saw thirty (30) illegal miners aged between 18 and 40 being arrested.

Among the arrested suspects, two were charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after they were allegedly found in possession of two revolvers. Another two were charged with possession of unwrought gold to the value of approximately R100 000. The team recovered three rifles, ammunition, unwrought precious metals, food items, medicine and gold refining paraphernalia.

One suspect was allegedly shot and injured during a shootout with the police and was rushed to hospital for medical attention. An inquest docket is being investigated after one suspect died soon after he was found hanging from a shaft.

All thirty suspects are expected to appear in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 August 2023, facing charges of illegal mining, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition; illegal possession of gold and conspiracy to commit an offence.