28 undocumented foreigners arrested in Randfontein anti-crime operation

The police led a crime combating operation after community members took to the streets, calling for a shutdown of illegal mines in the area.

The anti-crime blitz was one of several raids conducted at mine dumps across the province in the wake of the gang rape of eight young women some weeks ago.

West Rand District Commissioner, Fred Kekana who was on the ground with local councillors and community leaders, says the police remain committed to implement interventions to deal with illegal mining activities in the district.

"We sat with the community from Friday in the afternoon and committed to address specific issues which they raised with us. Amongst them it was crime in general, drugs, firearms, and the main issue which they raised was illegal miners, so called Zama Zama's.

 We agreed to bring other reinforcement and mobilize resources to ensure that the concerns and other issues they raised are addressed properly," says Kekana.

He adds: "On Friday already, we went to two different places with leadership of community, we arrested five different people for possession of drugs and dealing in drugs, it was South African citizens and we also managed to arrest 28 undocumented persons today only."

Kekana says the municipality's heavy-duty vehicles were busy closing one of the illegal mining sites in the area.

"Public Order Police and Visible Policing members are monitoring the situation and swiftly responding to sporadic incidents."

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