Potchefstroom – This week a “homeowner”, accused of allowing illegal miners – known as Zama Zamas – to dig a tunnel from one of his bedrooms to the nearby Khuseleka 1 Mine, landed in hot water.
Police were tipped off that a 65-year-old homeowner, who resides with his family at Nkandla informal settlement near Khuseleka 1 Mine, allegedly allowed Zama Zamas to dig a hole in a bedroom.
Whistleblowers told the police that a tunnel was dug from the bedroom leading to the mine – effectively turning the home into an entrance to a shaft at the platinum mine in Rustenburg, North West.
Platinum is priced at about 915.70 US dollars per 1 troy ounce on the world market.
On Thursday, (5 September 2024), a team of law enforcers comprising the Tlhabane Visible Policing Unit, Royal Bafokeng Tactical Team, and Rustenburg Public Safety Unit, swooped on the house used as an illicit entrance to the mine.
During the raid, several suspects evaded arrest by going down the man-made hole in one of the bedrooms.
However, law enforcers managed to arrest two suspects – one of them the owner of the house.
With the assistance of mine security, some of the mining equipment found in the house was identified as belonging to Khuseleka 1 Mine.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said: “The 65-year-old homeowner and accomplice are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, (9 September 2024), for illegal mining, tampering with and/or damaging essential infrastructure, and possession of suspected stolen goods”.
Lieutenant Colonel Funani said the search for other suspects was continuing.
Meanwhile, Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrests and thanked the team for their concerted efforts in addressing illegal mining activities.
