More than 300 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are deployed in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West Province. SANDF is assisting the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to deal with illegal mining, economic sabotage, cable theft, and other criminal activities, and so far positive results have been observed in the first weekend.
This follows the arrest of 13 undocumented migrants aged between 15 and 46 last Friday at the disused Wolwerand Gold Mine in Klerksdorp. This happened after information was received about illegal activities of mining of gold in the area. Information was operationalised in a multi-disciplinary disruptive operation comprising the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime, SANDF, Klerksdorp Illicit Mining Task Team, National Intervention Unit (NIU), North West Explosives Unit, K9 and North West Motorcycle Unit.
According to the Provincial Hawks' Spokesperson, Tinyiko Mathebula, the team pounced on the illegal miners, who then fled the scene, abandoning their equipment. He said 13 individuals were arrested in the vicinity of the mine site and charged under the Immigration Act of 2002. The raid resulted in the seizure of significant mining equipment, including 15 pendukas, eight generators, a water tank, water pipes, and other paraphernalia.
Gold-bearing material valued at approximately R200 000 was confiscated, and four informal gold processing plants were dismantled. The Spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) North West Division, Henry Mamothame, said seven of the accused appeared at the Klerksdorp Magistrates Court on Monday on individual charges of contravening the Immigration Act and they are expected to appear in the same court as from December 6 till December 20 with their Legal Aid representatives while the other accused appeared at Bosasa,a juvenile correctional centre, because they are minors.
Authorities say they remain committed to combating illegal mining, utilising preventive measures and targeted raids to disrupt these activities and bring those involved to justice. The acting North West Hawks Head, Brigadier Malima, applauded the team's efforts in disrupting illegal mining activities.
