Police and the SANDF swooped on the illegal mining site at around 05:00 on Tuesday. The illegal miners opened fire and police retaliated.
“When they were met with a fierce comeback, they fled from the scene,” Maj Gen Ryno Naidoo, Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West, said at the scene.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, police arrested a total of 26 suspects for various offences linked to illicit mining activities and 15 suspects were charged for contravention of the Immigration Act.
Police also seized one 9mm pistol with ammunition and several items believed to have been used in illegal mining activities, including generators, electric motors, pendukas, water pumps, jackhammers, spades, picks and gold-bearing material.
Naidoo commended the police and SANDF members who participated in the operation, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining and related crimes that threaten community safety,
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and SANDF have deployed joint forces across the North West province to crack down on illegal mining. The collaborative enforcement operation is aimed at dismantling illicit syndicates, seizing mining equipment and arresting illegal miners.
