By Charmaine Ndlela
More than 200 suspected illegal miners, the majority believed to be undocumented foreign nationals, have been arrested during a joint operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at the Losberg Kloof Mine, owned by Sibanye-Stillwater, in Westonaria.
Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major-General Fred Kekana, confirmed that the number of arrests had risen to 217 as the operation continued on Monday.
The operation, which began at 3am, remained under way, with law enforcement officers continuing to search the mine for additional suspects.
Police had already transported the first group of arrested suspects from the scene, while a second group was being processed.
Among the items seized were an AK-47 rifle, other unlicensed firearms, mining equipment, gas stoves, food supplies, alcohol and R22,000 in cash found in the possession of one suspected zama zama.
Police said most of the suspects are believed to be undocumented foreign nationals from Lesotho and Mozambique, although authorities are still verifying the identities and immigration status of those arrested.
Speaking at the scene, Kekana said the operation forms part of an illegal mining crackdown that has been under way for the past six months.
He said the operation had initially resulted in the arrest of 198 suspects, including 170 undocumented foreign nationals — 107 from Lesotho, 56 from Mozambique and four from Zimbabwe — as well as 21 South Africans.
He added that the total number of arrests had since increased to 217 as the operation continued.
Police said the crime scene remains active and further arrests are expected as officers continue searching the area.
Investigations are ongoing.
INSIDE POLITICS
