Police spokesperson, Adele Myburgh says twelve of the suspects between the ages of 22 and 52 years, make their first court appearance for possession of three unlicensed firearms and ammunition. 

Two of the firearms allegedly belonged to people reported to be dead, one of which belonged to a security guard believed to be employed by shaft seven owned by China Africa Precious Metals (CAPM). 

Myburgh says the third firearm recovered was stolen from a security guard who worked at Eskom offices in the same town.  The group was arrested on Friday, September 27 in a roadblock on the R 30 between Orkney and Bothaville. These suspects are reportedly undocumented. 

Three other people, between the ages of 20 and 32 were arrested at the same roadblock for possession of crack cocaine worth R 30 000. They will also appear in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court today.  

In July 2019, OFM News reported a security guard at the above-mentioned mine was shot at by an unknown group of men believed to be illegal miners. 

Just before midnight, on July 3, two guards on duty spotted an unknown number of suspects entering the mine. When probed, the alleged assailants began to shoot at the security guards, injuring the one. 

Reports indicate the now deceased security guard was 44-years old. Following the incident CAPM closed the mine down on Thursday in light of the shooting incident. This however has angered mineworkers who are now protesting outside the mine, demanding their salaries be paid.

The third firearm recovered was stolen from a security guard who worked at Eskom offices in the same town.  The group was arrested on Friday, September 27 in a roadblock on the R 30 between Orkney and Bothaville. 

These suspects are reportedly undocumented. Three other people, between the ages of 20 and 32 were arrested at the same roadblock for possession of crack cocaine worth R 30 000. 

They will also appear in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court today.  

OFM News