One person was shot dead, and 46 others were arrested during a multidisciplinary law enforcement operation to tackle illegal gold mining on the Westrand, Gauteng.
The search and seizure operation was carried out simultaneously on eight premises in Krugersdorp and Randfontein.
The raid on five illegal gold processing plants in Krugersdorp led to the recovery of 700 tons of gold-bearing material worth more than R2.5 million.
Twenty cellphones were also seized in the raid on Tuesday.
Those arrested on suspicion of participating in illegal gold mining include foreign nationals from neighbouring countries.
Their immigration status in South Africa is now a subject of an ongoing investigation.
The suspects will appear in court to face the charges that include contravention of Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005, Mining Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996, theft, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 and possibly Immigrations Act 13 of 2002.
The multidisciplinary law enforcers included the Hawks, South African Police Service Airwing, K9 unit, Crime Intelligence, Local Criminal Record Centre, Forensic Science Laboratory, Gauteng Traffic Saturation Unit, G4S and Fidelity Security Helicopters, Sibanye Stillwater Protection Services and Eskom officials.
Police Minister General Bheki Cele joined the law enforcers on the search and seizure operation.
The minister was accompanied by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, Hawks Gauteng Provincial Head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa and District Commander of West Rand Major General Kekana.
Tuesday’s raid on illegal mining comes after eight women were attacked and gang raped near a mine dump in Krugersdorp, where they were shooting a music video.
Since the attack last Thursday more than 80 suspects have been arrested in ongoing search and seizure operations. However, they have not yet been linked to the rape.
