Ten men suspected of being involved in illegal mining on a farm outside of Welkom were arrested, and their vehicles and excavators have been confiscated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members of Public Order Policing (POP) and the Tactical Response team (TRT) received intelligence-driven information on 20 June, which led to the arrests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The operation was done in conjunction with a manager of the Department of Mineral Resources. It is the mandate of this department to inspect the mining environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe samplers of gold-bearing material, dump truck operators, mechanics and excavator operators who were out on the farm Vaalbank, were asked to provide legal documents to mine in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey could not provide the required documentation to mine legally, and the operation of these experts was declared illegal,\u201d says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The police arrested 2 dump truck operators, 3 mechanics, 1 excavator operator, and 4 samplers of gold-bearing material for mining illegally, as well as possession of 26 bags of gold-bearing material found inside a white bakkie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thakeng say excavators, dump trucks and three bakkies were seized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the same farm, a 68-year-old shepherd was arrested for possession of gold-bearing material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eight of the men appeared in the Welkom Magistrates\u2019 Court on Monday, 24 June, and were each granted bail of R1 000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thakeng says the charges against three suspects were withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The case has been postponed until 23 August for further investigation. By order of the court, the seized property will not be returned. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ten men suspected of being involved in illegal mining on a farm outside of Welkom were arrested, and their vehicles and excavators have been 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