Johannesburg – Police have swooped on a business premise in Roodepoort and found equipment suspected to be used for illegal mining.
The police said they raided the business premises in the evening on Thursday (15 September 2022).
“The equipment that includes ‘pendukas’ are allegedly manufactured by this company, using gas bottles and steel water pipes,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo.
“Also found at the premises were iron balls, electric motors, generators and compressors.
“Three undocumented foreign nationals who are employees of this company were arrested while police are still searching for the owner of the company”.
In a related matter, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, on Friday led Operation O Kae Molao in Florida, where places reported to be harbouring illegal miners were raided.
During this operation, police arrested more than 48 undocumented foreign nationals who are suspected to be illegal miners and seized bags full of what is suspected to be gold-bearing material, explosives, generators, “pendukas” and spades.
Lieutenant General Mawela said: “It has always been my aim that we identify the person or company that manufactures and support illegal miners with tools of trade.
“After we have disrupted and flattened the illegal mining, you will find that a few months later the operation is up and running again with new equipment.
“That clearly shows that there is someone who is supplying the tools of the trade.
“I am delighted that we eventually found the supplier. We will continue to deal decisively with illegal mining and disrupt any operation that surfaces.”
Lieutenant General Mawela applauded the police for the arrests and recovery of illicit gold mining equipment.
BUST: Police swooped on a business premises in Roodepoort, where they recovered equipment suspected to be used in illegal mining. Several suspects were arrested
