Waterval Boven – Over the weekend, five illegal miners were arrested in Slaaihoek, located near Waterval Boven in Mpumalanga. They are scheduled to appear in the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, (23 December 2024).
The illegal miners, often known as Zama Zamas, range in age from 28 to 42 and were detained on Saturday, (21 December 2024), by a multi-disciplinary task force that included the South African National Defence Force.
As per Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the suspects are facing numerous charges related to illegal mining activities and breaches of the South African Immigration Act.
Brigadier Mdhluli mentioned that various items and mining equipment were seized during the operation.
“The officers confiscated equipment including generators, a gas cylinder, a gas regulator, multiple gas pipes, and additional tools,” Brigadier Mdhluli elaborated.
