Over 100 suspected zama zamas arrested in Primrose swoop
The illegal miners were nabbed at the Marathon informal settlement in Ekurhuleni, where residents had been complaining about criminal activities linked to illicit mining.
Members of the South African Police Service, South African National Defence Force, Department of Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies descended on the area on Friday morning in a joint operation that lasted until the afternoon.
“The team arrested more than 100 undocumented foreign nationals who are also suspected to be involved in illegal mining in the area. A number of places where they illegally process gold-bearing material were raided and dismantled,” read a statement by Gauteng police.
SAPS also reported the seizure of tools allegedly used by the illegal miners.
“A significant quantity of tools of trade that include gas cylinders, pendukas, explosives, and generators were seized.”
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela called for the community to continue to report illegal activities, including illegal mining.
Mawela adds that the presence of soldiers and other law enforcement agencies has helped the police make inroads against illegal mining in the province.
Earlier this year, 17 people were killed by a gas leak at the Angelo informal settlement, also in Ekurhuleni, which has been linked to illegal mining activities.
At the time, community members claimed agents of the criminal industry, who process the gold-bearing material from illegal miners, called ‘phendukas’, had been operating the clandestine plant amid their homes for nearly a year before the tragedy.
Mawela says the joint operations to flush out zama zamas will continue across the province.
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