Four undocumented suspects arrested for illegal mining in Kleinzee

FOUR undocumented suspects were arrested by the police, with the assistance of a private security company, for illegal mining and trespassing at a mine in Kleinzee in the Namakwa District on January 28.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the arrests followed a tip-off about alleged illicit mining activities.

“The multi-disciplinary teams of Operation Vala Umgodi were conducting vehicle and foot patrols at hot-spot areas when they received information from Vetus security members about alleged illegal mining activities taking place at Kleinzee mine. The members reacted swiftly and operationalised the information. Upon arrival, four male suspects were found engaging in illegal mining. The four suspects were between the ages of 25 and 40 years old. The equipment that was used in the commission of the illicit mining was confiscated,” Shemane said.

Shemane encouraged the public to report illicit mining activities to the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS app.