Fifteen suspected illegal miners including seven women were arrested in Mecklenburg outside Burgersfort in Limpopo on Saturday. The zama zamas were arrested underground by the Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team and Organised Crime Investigation Unit in collaboration together with a private security company. 

HARD AT WORK

Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the operation was conducted at Clapham Mining site, where the zama zamas were tactically pounced on while in the process of digging chrome underground. The suspects, eight men and seven women and will appear before the Praktiseer Magistrate's Court on tomorrow facing charges of illegal mining.

SEIZED GOODS

"The police have managed to confiscate the mining equipment that was used in the illegal mining activities which includes 15 wheelbarrows, a generator, spades, chisels, a hammer, a hand hoe, and a shovel valued at R26 000," said Ledwaba. He added that the police also confiscated a bag full of chrome. Limpopo Police Commissionaire Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded the teams involved for their collaborative efforts in apprehending the suspects and also ridding the province of illegal mining activities.