Mpumalanga police have arrested 68 suspected zama zamas between the ages 19 and 54 during Operation Shanela conducted in Sabie on Saturday.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said those arrested included two suspects who were nabbed for human trafficking, while the others were charged for possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition, and a further eight were arrested for kidnapping.

Mdhluli said the arrest comes after a victim from Lesotho reported a case of kidnapping at the Sabie Police Station in August. "An investigation was thoroughly conducted and after information was gathered, the team coordinated as well as executed a sting operation in the early hours of Saturday. When members arrived at the site, they managed to arrest the alleged illegal miners also known as zama-zamas. Two firearms with ammunition were found amongst the suspects," he said. According to Mdhluli, preliminary investigation revealed that two of the suspects are allegedly involved in trafficking people from Lesotho and use them for illegal mining in the Sabie area. The two are faced with charges of human trafficking for now. Mdhluli added that more charges could possibly be added against them as the investigation continues. "The investigators are adamant that there could more other criminal activities that these men might be involved in, however, a probe is underway whereby other stakeholders are positively assisting to ensure that the law take its course,'' said Mdhluli. The firearms confiscated by the police will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were not used previously for committing crimes.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended the dedication of the teams involved in the arrest. "We are very much glad that, not only were huge number of suspects arrested but two firearms were discovered. The issue of illegal mining is a concern in our country and we are happy that the public can see that the state in conjunction with the private sector are working hard to address the challenge, hence this success," she said. The suspects are expected to appear at the Sabie Magistrates Court today.