In an effort to address illegal mining activities in the Namakwa District along the coast especially focusing on Oubeep, Kleinsee, Nuttabooi and Bontekoei, a joint operation was executed on 6 July 2022 and 7 July 2022.
The joint operation was aimed at disrupting illegal mining activities, arresting illegal miners, the identification and processing of undocumented persons, and the confiscation of mining equipment and implements used.
Various SAPS components, the Namakwa District office, units, police stations and the DPCI assisted by the Department of Home Affairs, the Police Secretariat, State Security Agency and the Department of Minerals participated in the execution of the operation under the operational command of the Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Brigadier Hennie van Rensburg.
The disruptive actions commenced during the hours of Wednesday morning, 6 July 2022, when the police closed in on illegal miners in the Nuttabooi mining area.
Approximately 300 illegal miners were found digging at the identified site where the operation was executed.
The ground forces were assisted by two Squirrel helicopters from the Free State and Western Cape respectively as well as the Northern Cape fixed wing Porter aircraft that offered air support to members by monitoring the movement of the miners from the air and directing the ground forces.
Numerous mining equipment and implements as well as five vehicles were seized during the operation including 130 generators and 121 jack hammers, spades, chisels, drilling machines, picks and grinders. The total value of the equipment and seized vehicles amounted to R3,5 million.
One firearm was also seized at the mining area and drugs. The collective team also conducted searches at the informational settlement in Bontekoei.
95 undocumented persons, 14 persons for illegal mining and 1 person for possession of narcotics were arrested.
The suspects were processed and will appear in the Springbok Magistrates court.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Koliswa Otola addressed the members during a parade after the conclusion of the operation and expressed her sincere gratitude and appreciation to all SAPS members and the external role-players who participated in the execution of the operation for the professional and dedicated manner in which they presented themselves.
She also indicated that similar operations will be conducted across the province where illegal mining is a problem.
