68 arrested for illegal mining, human trafficking

The men, aged between 19 and 54, were arrested on Saturday as part of the provincial leg of the police’s Operation Shanela anti-crime campaign.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli said amongst the 68, two were arrested for human trafficking, two others were charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and eight were arrested for alleged kidnapping.

He added that all suspects are facing charges in relation to contravention of the immigration act of South Africa.

Mdhluli said an operation was carried out after a victim from Lesotho opened a case of kidnapping at Sabie Police Station in August.

"An investigation was thoroughly conducted, then after information was gathered, the team coordinated as well as executed a sting operation in the early hours of Saturday.

“When members arrived at the site, they managed to arrest the alleged illegal miners, well-known as 'zama zamas' where two firearms with ammunition were found amongst the suspects," he said.

Mdhluli said police believe two of the suspects are involved in the trafficking of people from Lesotho and using them for illegal mining in the Sabie area. 

"The two are faced with charges of human trafficking for now. More charges could possibly be added against them as the investigation continues. 

“The investigators are adamant that there could be other criminal activities that these men might be involved in. However, the probe is underway whereby other stakeholders are positively assisting to ensure that the law takes its course.

“The confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were not used previously in the commission of crime," said Mdhluli.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Sabie Magistrate's Court on Monday.

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