Local News
Sixty-five zama zamas to be deported─── 07:25 Sat, 22 Nov 2014
Welkom - Sixty-five illegal immigrants, who were arrested in Welkom on Wednesday, will be deported after appearing in the city’s Magistrate's Court yesterday.
Free State police spokesperson, Malebo Khosana, says the men were arrested at G-hostel in Thabong, during a joint operation between the Thabong and Welkom clusters.
The suspects, who are allegedly illegally mining in the country, are Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Mozambique nationals.
Khosana says they will be fined by the Court and then taken to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation.
He says 12 more suspects were arrested for trespassing at the mine premises the following day as the operation continued.
He says they are prepared for the festive season, and will conduct numerous similar operations as the festive season approaches.
The 12 who were arrested on Thursday are all South African nationals and will appear in court on Monday.
Several major arrests have recently occurred in the area to tackle illegal mining.
Twenty-four police officials, who were allegedly involved in illicit mining, were arrested in September, and over 30 zama zamas were arrested last week.
The suspects, who are allegedly illegally mining in the country, are Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Mozambique nationals.
Khosana says they will be fined by the Court and then taken to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation.
He says 12 more suspects were arrested for trespassing at the mine premises the following day as the operation continued.
He says they are prepared for the festive season, and will conduct numerous similar operations as the festive season approaches.
The 12 who were arrested on Thursday are all South African nationals and will appear in court on Monday.
Several major arrests have recently occurred in the area to tackle illegal mining.
Twenty-four police officials, who were allegedly involved in illicit mining, were arrested in September, and over 30 zama zamas were arrested last week.
Duane Petrus/OFM News