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Illegal mining operation in Ekurhuleni
Sixty-two undocumented illegal miners have been arrested in the Putfontein area on the East Rand and are currently being detained at the Benoni Police Station.
The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) says the suspects are aged between 18 and 39.
EMPD spokesperson Lerato Monyane says during the arrests, 46 illegally erected shacks were demolished and police confiscated illegal mining equipment.
Monyane added that they’re expected to appear in court soon.
“During a multi-disciplinary crime prevention operation, with the high presence of law enforcers, led to the arrest of 62 undocumented illegal miners. The Energy Department Officials disconnected all the illegal electricity connections, while the Land Invasion Unit Officers, together with the Human Settlement Department, demolished 46 illegally erected structures which looks like normal structures but conceal an illegal mining hub and storage. Law enforcers also confiscated various illegal mining equipment such as phendukas, wheelbarrows, generator motors, gas bottles and more. In addition, explosives were recovered in one of the shacks. The SAPS Bomb Squad was activated, and liquor with an estimated value of R5 000 was confiscated.”
Cachalia calls for illegal mining to be formally criminalised:
