Lerato Mbiza
Police in Gauteng have arrested more than 140 suspects and recovered rifles, including an AK-47, from a man suspected to be the kingpin of illegal mining in the West Rand after a tipoff.
The arrests are in line with Operation Safer Festive Season campaign launched on Saturday under the theme ‘Combating crime through decisive police and robust community involvement’.
The police said they received information about a suspect in Bekkersdal, West Rand (Mogale) who was said to be in possession of unlicensed firearms.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said upon searching the premises, police from Crime Intelligence and Bekkersdal Visible Policing found two unlicensed firearms (R5 rifle and AK47 rifle) and dagga.
“A 36-year-old, undocumented foreign national was arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and dealing in dagga. Furthermore, detectives went and traced wanted suspects and arrested 56 of them for crimes ranging from rape to fraud,” Masondo said.
Masondo said a high delegation of police joined in the operation including Minister of Police General Bheki Cele, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service General Fannie Masemola and Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.
The senior police were also part of the roadblocks and the disruption of illegal mining operation in Roodepoort, where more than 85 suspects were arrested for offences that include possession of suspected stolen goods and contravening the Immigration Act.
Generators and drilling machines used by the illegal miners were also seized as part of police operations to dismantle and disrupt their illegal operations.
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