{"id":49744,"date":"2024-02-15T13:52:48","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T11:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/free-state-police-turn-the-spotlight-on-illegal-mining-activities-20240215-2\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T10:04:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T08:04:16","slug":"free-state-police-turn-the-spotlight-on-illegal-mining-activities-20240215-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/free-state-police-turn-the-spotlight-on-illegal-mining-activities-20240215-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Free State police turn the spotlight on illegal mining activities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Forty illegal miners were arrested in the Lejweleputswa area during the illicit mining operation, Vala Umgodi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT), working together with members of the Public Order Policing (POP), took part in this operation that is aimed at addressing illicit mining activities at places identified as hot spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst working in Thabong, members stopped and arrested a 45-year-old male after he was found with an unlicensed firearm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three suspects, aged between 34 and 36 years, were also arrested after they were found with gold-bearing materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An illegal tavern owner was also arrested and fined for selling liquor without a license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The operation continues and forces are still on the ground to eradicate illicit mining activities in Lejweleputswa and surrounding towns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Forty illegal miners were arrested in the Lejweleputswa area during the illicit mining operation, Vala 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