The Hawks efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the Province are continuing to yield good results, this is attested by the arrest of 17 alleged illegal miners aged between 17 and 65 on Monday, 4 April 2022 at Harman Farm in Lulekani area.
Despite having arrested 10 other alleged illegal miners in Lulekani area on 1 March 2022, illegal mining activities continued to take place in the area. The Hawks received information about illegal mining activities and immediately followed it up.
A disruptive operation consisting of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Pubic Order Police, Mopani District police and Department of Mineral Resources descended on the suspects and caught them in the act.
The team seized 8 motor vehicles and mining equipment with the estimated value of R1.8 million. All the arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Lulekani Magistrate’s court on Wednesday, 6 April 2022 to face charges related to illegal mining.
More operations to deal with illegal miners are still going to be conducted.
