30 illegal miners were arrested on Friday (18/8) and are expected to face charges of illegal mining, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of gold, and conspiracy to commit an offence. During the arrests, one of the suspects sustained a gunshot wound.

These arrests made another huge impact in the area after 89 illegal miners were arrested in 2022. They were arrested during multiple disciplinary operations to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the province. The illegal miners were arrested in the early hours of Friday at the Scott Shaft in Stilfontein. They are between the ages of 18 and 40 years.

The Hawks spokesperson, Tinyiko Mathebula, previously said among the arrested suspects, two were charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and two were charged with possession of unwrought gold to the value of approximately R100 000.

Other items recovered from the scene included three rifles, ammunition, unwrought precious metals, food items, medicine, and gold refining paraphernalia.

“One suspect was allegedly shot and injured during a shootout with the police and was rushed to hospital. An inquest docket is being investigated after one suspect died soon after he was found hanging from a shaft.”

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit was assisted by the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section, Local Criminal Record Centre, and Explosives Unit, Illegal Mining Task Team, National Intervention Unit, ER24, Harmony Gold Mine, and Bidvest Protea Coin to conduct a disruptive operation in the early hours of Friday (18/8).

OFM News