Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Hawks in Mpumalanga arrested three suspected illegal miners, aged 17 to 38, during an operation on Monday.
“The arrests follow an operation aimed at dismantling illegal mining activities, which cause air and water pollution, endanger the safety of the community and cause damage to infrastructure,” Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said.
She said pendukas, generators, gold-bearing materials, gold metal detectors, gas cylinders, compressors, iron balls, and containers were confiscated during the operation.
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“The estimated value of the seized property is R200 000. Bones, suspected to be of endangered species, were also confiscated for further investigation,” Sekgotodi added.
She said provincial detectives were involved in the operation, along with the National Intervention Unit, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Department of Environmental Affairs, Tactical Response Team, Local Criminal Record Centre, K9 Unit and SSG Security.
The suspected illegal miners, also known as “zama zamas”, are expected to appear in the Barberton and Matsulu Magistrates’ Courts later on Tuesday.
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