Combined disruptive operations were carried out between operatives forming part of Operation Vala uMgodi, Operation Knock-out and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The focus was to clamp down on illegal mining activities occurring in G-Hostel, Welkom, and the residential areas along Constantia Road and other identified hotspots.
This took place on Wednesday 4 October.
At G-Hostel two suspects, aged 33 and 59 years, were arrested for illegal mining. The team seized gold-bearing material weighing at 20,58 kg, a self-made phenduka (gold mill), steel balls, and a burner pan. A case of possession of suspected gold-bearing material and processing equipment was opened at the Thabong Police Station.
The sweep operation continued and an oxygen cylinder with regulators, a gas cylinder, a cutting torch, a phenduka, and other gold-processing equipment were found abandoned. Gold-bearing material weighing at 66,62 kg was also seized.
There were also disruptive operations executed in Virginia where two men, aged 30 and 45, were arrested in Albany Location. The team seized gold-bearing material weighing at 5,72 kg, a hand stumper tool with a holder, burner pan, and a strainer.
A case of possession of suspected gold-bearing material and processing equipment was opened at the Virginia Police Station.
