LEJWELEPUTSWA – Police seized more than 207kg of suspected gold-bearing material and equipment during operations in Welkom, Odendaalsrus and Theunissen.
Fourteen suspects have been arrested during Operation Prosper operations targeting illegal mining activities in the Lejweleputswa District in the Free State.
The multidisciplinary operation, involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and mine security personnel, intensified efforts to combat illegal mining at identified hotspots across the district.
Operations were conducted in the Welkom, Odendaalsrus and Theunissen policing precincts during the past week, resulting in 14 arrests.
Suspects arrested in Welkom and Odendaalsrus
In Welkom, two foreign nationals, aged 25 and 36, were arrested after allegedly being found in possession of suspected gold-bearing material (GBM) weighing 157.1kg.
Police also confiscated equipment suspected of being used in illegal mining activities. The two men were arrested on charges of possession of GBM and trespassing.
In a separate operation in Odendaalsrus, three men aged 46, 48 and 54 were allegedly found in possession of 50.1kg of suspected GBM and equipment.
The three suspects were also arrested on charges of possession of GBM and trespassing.
Nine suspects arrested in Theunissen
In the Theunissen policing precinct, a 36-year-old woman was arrested for contravening the Immigration Act and trespassing.
Eight other suspects, aged between 25 and 33, were arrested for allegedly trespassing on the same mining premises.
During the operations, police confiscated suspected gold-bearing material, five spades, one pickaxe and one shovel, which were allegedly used in the commission of the offences.
Operation Prosper targets illegal mining networks
Law enforcement agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling illegal mining and dismantling criminal networks through crime intelligence-led operations.
The latest arrests form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illicit mining activities and apprehend those involved in illegal operations across the Lejweleputswa District.
