A successful joint intelligence disruptive operation was conducted to target illegal miners and undocumented persons at Modikwa Platinum Mine in Driekop Policing area which led to the arrest of 12 suspects on 5 July 2023, at about 10:30.
The units and stakeholders involved were Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, Provincial Organize Crime Unit, Modikwa Platinum Mine Protection Services, SSG Chopper, SSG Task team and Phothoma Private Security.
The SAPS received information about illegal mining activities taking place in the area and swiftly reacted.
On arrival at the farm, police confiscated six generators to the value of R60 000 and six Jackhammers to the value of R42 000.
The operation continued and with assistance of the mentioned stakeholders, 12 suspects were arrested on the premises. The suspects were allegedly mining chrome.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe hailed the collaborative efforts by members and stakeholders.
“These operations will continue to be conducted across the province to deal head on with illegal mining. “We call upon community members to assist us by reporting these acts of criminality immediately to the police,” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The male suspects aged between 19 and 47 are ten Zimbabwean nationals and two South Africans.
They are expected to appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 6 July 2023, on charges of illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
