Tebogo Msimanga |
Two suspects were caught in the act at Bergeneck village outside Polokwane on Wednesday 14 September 2022. Members of the Provincial Organized Crime unit conducted a disruptive joint operation together with the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE), Tactical Response Team (TRT), Provincial Tracking Team, Westernburg police, Crime Intelligence, Public Order Policing (POPS) and Home Affairs Immigration officials.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba of Limpopo Police said this emanated after a member of the community alerted the police about illegal mining activities that were taking place in the area including a high number of undocumented residents from the neighbouring countries. “Police pounced at the illegal mining sites and managed to arrest two suspects believed to be Zimbabwean and Lesotho Nationals while others evaded the arrest by fleeing on foot in different directions and abandoning their mining equipments”.
During the arrest, police confiscated properties valued at R120.000 at the mining site.
Ledwaba added that the suspects aged between 30 and 32 are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate court soon facing charges of illegal mining and Contravention of Immigration Act.
Police investigations are continuing.
