The police in Mecklenburg,Limpopo have arrested eight zama zamas aged between 18 and 40 years of age for illegal mining activities and unlawful possession of unfinished precious metals as well as contravention of Immigration Act.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani said the arrest was executed by members attached to the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, Illegal Mining Task Team and Crime Intelligence Unit during an operation.
Mashaba said the police accosted a white tipper truck fully loaded with unrefined chrome driven by a Zimbabwean national without proper documentations for ferrying and exporting minerals.
"Upon further investigation the team carried on with the operation that led to disruption of illegal mining activities at Ga-Phasha village subsequently pouncing on seven male Zimbabwean national Illegal miners while underground,"he said.
The police have also recovered and confiscated mining equipment from illegal mining activities that include two jackhammers, ten power generators and two shovels.
The police are investigating cases of illegal mining activities and unlawful possession of unfinished precious metals as well as of the contravention of immigration act. All the arrested suspects are scheduled to appear before Mecklenburg Periodical Court tomorrow.