THABONG – Two men were caught in the act of allegedly conducting an illegal mining operation at a shack in Thokoza, Thabong. The police seized 42.5kg of suspected gold-bearing material and equipment believed to have been used in the operation.

The suspects, aged 37 and 39, were arrested on Wednesday, 26 August, following a tip-off from a community member about suspected illegal mining activities at a residence in the area.

Members of the Thabong Social Crime Prevention Unit acted on the information and proceeded to the identified property, where they allegedly found the two men busy with the illegal operation.

Police confiscated the suspected gold-bearing material and equipment, which have been booked into evidence.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 28 August.

The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by police to disrupt illegal mining activities and the trade in suspected gold-bearing material in the area.

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