In response to the scourge of illegal mining in the Province, eleven (11) suspected illegal miners have been arrested at a mine in the Northam area on Thursday, 27 January 2022.
The Hawks received information about illegal mining activities at a mine and conducted an investigation.
A joint team comprising the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Public Order Police members pounced on the suspects and caught them red-handed busy mining chrome at the mine.
Mining vehicles such as two (2) TLBs and one (1) Horse Truck with two trailers worth over R3 million were seized.
While the police were busy detaining the vehicles in Thabazimbi area, a certain man who identified himself as the owner of the TLB’s allegedly approached and offered R15 000-00 gratification to the police so that his seized vehicles can be freed and he was also arrested.
All the eleven (11) arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Northam Magistrate’s court on Friday 28 January 2022. The other suspect arrested for corruption will appear in the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s court the very same day. More operation to address illegal mining activities in the Province is still going to be conducted.