Equipment totalling R3m worth seized from illegal miners in Limpopo
The Hawks
have arrested eleven illegal miners and seized equipment worth R3 million at
Chorment mine in Limpopo on Thursday.
Hawks spokesperson Matimba Maluleke says the arrest come in light of a recent increase in illegal mining the province.
“The Hawks received information about illegal mining activities at Chromnet mine in Northam area and eleven (11) suspected illegal miners have been arrested on Thursday.”
“Mining vehicles such as two TLBs and one Horse Truck with two trailers worth over R3 million were seized.”
Matimba says a joint team comprising the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Public Order Police members caught the suspects red handed busy mining chrome at the mine.
“While the police were busy detaining the vehicles in Thabazimbi area, certain man who identified himself as the owner of the TLB's allegedly approached and offered R15 000-00 gratification to the police so that his seized vehicles can be freed and he was also arrested.”
Matimba adds that the eleven arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Northam Magistrate's court on Friday.
“The other suspect arrested for corruption will appear in the Thabazimbi Magistrate's court the very same day and more operation to address illegal mining activities in the province are still going to be conducted.”
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