Mashishing (Lydenburg) – The SA Police Service’s “Operation Shanyela” at the weekend led to the arrest of 68 people suspected of committing crimes in Sabie near Mashishing in Mpumalanga.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Sabie Magistrate’s Court today, (September 18), to face several charges that include illegal mining, kidnapping, human trafficking, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as the contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
The suspects aged between 19 and 54, included Lesotho nationals.
Commenting on the arrests, Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela said: “We are very glad that not only were a huge number of suspects arrested but two firearms were recovered. Illegal mining is a concern in our country”.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe said: “We are concerned with some foreign nationals who enter the country illegally and involve themselves in criminal activities such as illegal mining and human trafficking”.
