The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is continuing to clamp down on illegal miners in every part of the Province following the arrest of six alleged illegal miners on 14 October 2022.
As the Hawks continue to keep an ear to the ground, information was received about illegal mining activities at Muyexe and Xikukwani under Giyani Police area.
A disruptive operation led by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, assisted by the Illegal Mining Provincial Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Burgersfort and Giyani Public Order Police was conducted.
During the operation, four suspected illegal miners aged between 21 and 25 were arrested. All the suspects are suspected to be foreign nationals.
The operation continued and led the team to an unlawful gold refinery in the same area. Two suspects aged 27 and 45 were also arrested.
The team managed to seize mining equipment such as a generator, jack hammer, gold weighing scales, lED light, torches, pick and gold bearing material.
All the suspects are expected to appear in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Monday 17 October 2022 for contravening the Precious Metal Act 37 of 2005.
