On Tuesday (25/8), members of the Hawks’ Klerksdorp-based serious organised crime investigation unit, in collaboration with members of the defence force and Jouberton police, arrested ten suspects. They are aged between 16 and 47.

Hawks spokesperson Tinyiko Mathebula said the serious organised crime investigation unit received information about illegal mining activities on a plot in Klerksdorp.

“Reports indicated that trucks loaded with suspected gold-bearing material were seen driving into the plot where it was being processed.”

Mathebula said the team operationalised the information and proceeded to the scene. On arrival, they found ten suspects on what appeared to be a farming property. “The suspects attempted to flee but the police managed to corner them, and seized bags containing gold-bearing material, mining equipment and two vehicles.”

Mathebula added investigators have not yet established the source of the gold and the matter remains under investigation.

The latest arrests come weeks after authorities seized four excavators and a dump truck during an illegal mining operation at Hencor Mine in Rustenburg.

At the time, Mathebula said investigators believed the operation could be linked to organised criminal networks and the focus was to identify the alleged kingpins behind illegal mining activities.

Mathebula previously identified Klerksdorp and Stilfontein as hotspots where authorities conduct regular operations against illegal mining.

Earlier this month, 14 suspected illegal miners died after a mine dump collapsed at Nkaneng near Rustenburg. Eight survivors were located, while police later deployed additional specialised resources to support recovery and investigations into the incident. 

All suspects will appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court soon; they will face charges of illegal mining, unlawful possession of gold, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa sm

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