SA: Two Zimbabweans held over illegal mining and immigration offences

By Agencies

Two zama zamas are expected to appear in the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on charges of illegal mining and contravention of Immigration Act.

The Limpopo SAPS arrested the two alleged illegal miners, aged 20 and 35, during a disruptive operation conducted on Thursday at around 08:00 at Mooihoek Mountain in Burgersfort, next to the old Black Chrome Mine shaft. The suspects are from Zimbabwe.

The operation consisted members from Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, the Sekhukhune, Tubatse, Meckleburg and Burgersfort SAPS, and other local stations focusing on illegal mining.

“The members went to the old shaft at Black Chrome following a tip-off and managed to arrest two suspects. Other illegal miners managed evade arrest by dispersing in different directions upon noticing the SAPS,” revealed Limpopo SAPS spokesman, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

The Limpopo SAPS commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, applauded the operational team for arresting the suspects and continuing to show their commitment of protecting the minerals of Limpopo.
The police investigations are continuing.